The Cross River State police command has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet, over an alleged attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential convoy, Peter Obi, in Calabar. 

In a statement on Thursday, the state command said the suspect was arrested in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi. 

The statement noted, “The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. as the NDC candidate’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar en route to Metropolitan Hotel, the venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting. At the Watt Market Roundabout, a group of suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles within the convoy, smashing their windshields.The exact number of vehicles affected is yet to be ascertained.” 

It said police officers deployed around the area responded swiftly to contain the situation.

It added that the intervention, which included the deployment of tear gas, led to the arrest of the suspect, while other suspected attackers fled the scene. 

The state Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, directed a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend other persons who might have participated in the attack and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. 

The command noted that a suspect’s arrest did not amount to guiltiness as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.

The cmmand assured residents that adequate security measures would be provided to protect lives and property.

It also guaranteed the peaceful conduct of lawful political activities across the state. 

“The Cross River State Police Command remains committed to maintaining public safety, protecting democratic participation and ensuring that all lawful political activities are conducted in a peaceful and secure environment,” the statement added.