The police identified the arrested suspect as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 2:20 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, around the Watt Market Roundabout in Calabar, as Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.
Obi had earlier raised the alarm over the attack, which occurred during his visit to Cross River State as part of his nationwide engagements ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Eitokpah Akata, said suspected hoodlums armed with machetes and sticks emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy, smashing their windscreens.
“The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency, Peter Obi, along the Watt Market Roundabout axis of Calabar, on Wednesday, 4th November 2026,” the statement read.
Akata disclosed that the attack resulted in damage to the windscreens of some vehicles, although the exact number of vehicles affected had yet to be established.
He said police personnel deployed in the area responded swiftly to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
“The arrested suspect was subsequently moved to the state police headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for discreet investigation and to prevent any possible reprisal or further breakdown of law and order. Normalcy has since been restored in the area,” he added.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to him, the directive is aimed at identifying and apprehending other individuals who may have participated in the attack, as well as establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Akata, however, emphasised that the arrest of the suspect did not amount to a determination of guilt, noting that he remained entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
The police command assured residents, political stakeholders and visitors that adequate security measures remained in place to protect lives and property and ensure the peaceful conduct of lawful political activities across the state.
The Police also reiterated its commitment to providing equal security protection to all political parties, candidates and their supporters, irrespective of political affiliation.
