The convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was ambushed by suspected political thugs in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday. The attack occurred shortly after Obi arrived in the state capital for the party's presidential town hall meeting at Metropolitan Hotel. Eyewitnesses reported that Obi's convoy was moving through the metropolis amid cheers from supporters when the attackers struck.
The suspected thugs allegedly hurled stones, bottles, and other objects at the vehicles and party supporters, causing panic and disrupting commercial activities and vehicular movement. Several NDC supporters sustained injuries, while some vehicles were damaged, with their windscreens shattered. The incident triggered a swift response from the Cross River State Police Command, which intervened and dispersed the attackers, restoring order to the area.
The police arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, in connection with the attack. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations had commenced to identify other individuals involved in the attack and their sponsors. Eitokpah assured residents that normalcy had been restored and that adequate security personnel had been deployed to strategic locations to prevent further attacks.
Despite the incident, Obi proceeded to the town hall meeting, where he was expected to engage party supporters and stakeholders in the state. The meeting was a significant event for the NDC, as Obi sought to rally support for his presidential bid. The party has been active in the state, with recent events aimed at promoting their agenda and engaging with local communities.
The Calabar incident comes days after the NDC accused operatives of the Nigeria Police Force of firing tear gas into a party gathering in Umuokara, Orba, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a town hall meeting organised to pray for the party's deputy governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Frank Omeje Okenwa.
The NDC described the Enugu incident as a "savage and unprovoked" attack on peaceful citizens and called for an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved. The party alleged that the police had failed to arrest those responsible for previous attacks on its members in the state, including a fatal shooting on October 10. The NDC also accused the police of arresting a man who filmed an attack on its members instead of apprehending those responsible.
The NDC governorship candidate's office issued a statement alleging that the organisers of the Enugu event had applied for and paid for police protection, but were still attacked. The party claimed that about four police Hilux vans arrived at the venue, and officers fired tear gas directly into the gathering, causing several elderly men and women to be hospitalised. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the state and the neutrality of the police.
Key points
- Peter Obi's convoy was attacked by suspected thugs in Calabar, Cross River State.
- The NDC accused the police of firing tear gas into a party gathering in Enugu State.
- The incidents have raised concerns about the security situation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
