Attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar: Police arrest 27-year-old suspect; As Obi vows tough action against insecurity, corruption 

Calabar, Nov. 4, 2026

The Police Command in Cross River have arrested a 27-year-old man, Victor Duke, over alleged attack on the convoy of Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar.

This is as Mr. Obi, has reiterated his determination to unite Nigeria, tackle insecurity, and fight corruption, if elected president in 2027.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi made the pledge during a townhall meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.

PPRO Eitokpah said the alleged attack on Obi’s convoy occurred at about 2:20 p.m. around Watt Market Roundabout as Obi’s convoy returned from the palace of the Obong of Calabar.

He said the convoy was heading to Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the NDC presidential town hall meeting, when suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked some vehicles.

According to him, the assailants, armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and smashed the windshields of some vehicles.

He said the exact number of vehicles affected was yet to be ascertained.

“The swift intervention of police personnel deployed around the area led to the arrest of one suspect, while other suspected attackers fled the scene,” he said.

The police spokesperson said tear gas was deployed to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.

He said that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit subsequently moved the suspect to the State Police Headquarters for discreet investigation.

Mr. Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, at the town hall meeting, stressed that his administration would prioritise national unity, security, education, healthcare, and the welfare of citizens.

He said Nigeria was currently divided, stressing that uniting the country would provide the strength needed to confront insecurity and other national challenges.

“Our commitment is to unite Nigeria. Nigeria today is not united. If we unite Nigeria today, we will have the strength to fight insecurity,” he said.

The presidential candidate said his administration would not tolerate the prevailing security challenges, particularly kidnapping and attacks on schoolchildren.

“Security agencies under my watch would pursue kidnappers into their hideouts to ensure the safe rescue of abducted schoolchildren.

“Anybody that kidnaps school children and goes into the bush, we will be in that bush with him, wherever it is. We are not scared of him,” Obi said.

On corruption, he promised to confront the menace decisively, insisting that public funds must be deployed for the benefit and welfare of Nigerians.

He said his administration would pursue corruption with determination to discourage the diversion of public resources for personal gains.

“We will fight corruption head-on. We want people to stop stealing public money. Public money must be used for public good and for the welfare of the people,” he said.

Obi also pledged increased investment in education and healthcare, describing both sectors as critical areas of national development.

He said his political partnership represented a new approach to governance, anchored on shared responsibility, and a commitment to transforming the country.

“We represent a new Nigeria that is possible. We represent a governance that people have not seen in Nigeria before,” he said.

He said the town hall meeting was organised to provide residents the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns without restrictions.

He urged participants to freely make comments and seek clarification, saying the purpose of the meeting was to listen to the people.

“The style is to listen to you. You are free to ask any question. No restrictions. Make any comment. That is why we are here,” he said.

NAN reports that on his way to the venue of the townhall meeting, the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate was attacked by hoodlums and a 27-year-old man suspected to be one of the assailants was arrested by the Police.

The command, however, cautioned that the arrest did not establish the arrested suspect’s guilt, as he remained entitled to the presumption of innocence.

It assured political parties, candidates, and their supporters of equal security protection, irrespective of political affiliation.

The command also urged residents to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information, adding that normalcy had been restored around the Watt Market axis.