The police in Cross River State have arrested a 27-year-old man following an attack on the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar on Wednesday.
The attack occurred round Watt Market Roundabout, as Mr Obi’s convoy was coming back from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, the place the social gathering was scheduled to carry a presidential city corridor assembly.
Mr Obi is embarking on a collection of city corridor conferences throughout states within the nation as a part of his political engagements forward of the 2027 basic elections. He was in Cross River State for the assembly when the incident occurred.
In an announcement issued on Wednesday, the police spokesperson within the state, Sunday Eitokpah, recognized the arrested suspect as Victor Duke, 27.
The police mentioned the attack was allegedly carried out by a gaggle of hoodlums armed with machetes and sticks, who emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked autos within the convoy
The incident reportedly resulted within the destruction of windshields on some autos, though the police mentioned the precise variety of autos affected had but to be established.
Videos present suspected attackers smashing windshields
Videos circulating on Facebook confirmed younger males wielding what gave the impression to be sharp objects, suspected to incorporate an axe, as they smashed the windshields of autos.
The footage confirmed the lads hanging autos with the objects, whereas the circumstances surrounding the attack and the identities of the opposite suspected contributors have been but to be established.
The police mentioned officers deployed across the space responded swiftly, utilizing tear fuel to disperse the attackers.
Mr Duke was arrested throughout the intervention, whereas different suspected attackers fled the scene, in accordance with the police.
He was subsequently taken to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for investigation.
The command mentioned the suspect was moved to the headquarters to forestall a attainable reprisal or additional breakdown of regulation and order.
Police start investigation
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Ordue, has directed a radical investigation into the incident to determine and arrest different individuals allegedly concerned and set up the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The police, nonetheless, cautioned towards presuming the suspect responsible earlier than the conclusion of the investigation and any subsequent court docket proceedings.
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“The Command emphasises that the arrest of a suspect does not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings,” Mr Akata mentioned.
The command mentioned normalcy had been restored across the Watt Market Roundabout and warranted residents, political stakeholders and guests that ample safety measures remained in place.
It additionally reiterated its dedication to offering equal safety safety to all political events, candidates and their supporters, regardless of political affiliation.
The police urged members of the general public to stay calm, keep away from spreading unverified data, and report suspicious actions by way of established police communication channels.
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