Cross River State police said a suspect was arrested after vehicles in Peter Obi’s convoy were damaged in Calabar, Nigeria, as investigators examine competing accounts of the incident.
The convoy was traveling from the Obong of Calabar’s palace toward Metropolitan Hotel for a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall ahead of the 2027 general elections. Police placed the incident near Watt Market Roundabout on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Police said people suspected of taking part emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley area, allegedly carrying machetes and sticks, and broke windshields. Officers used tear gas to disperse the group, while other suspected participants fled. Police have not established how many vehicles were damaged.
The command identified the arrested man as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, 27, and said he was taken to police headquarters. Police said the arrest did not establish guilt and that Duke remains presumed innocent pending the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings. Commissioner of Police Ajo Geoffrey Ordue directed officers to identify other possible participants and determine how events unfolded.
TheCable reported that Obi said stones were thrown at the convoy and his security team advised him to take another route. The Cross River State Government said Thursday, Nov. 5, that an internal opposition dispute caused the disturbance, denied that All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters were responsible and alleged that people displaying NDC insignia damaged vehicles. Police have not said who organized the incident.
The NDC said no member of Obi’s delegation was injured. Punch Newspapers separately reported that several NDC supporters were said to have been injured. The police investigation is continuing.
