Countless supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were injured whereas vehicles belonging to members of the party were damaged during the party’s advising tour of Calabar South Community Government Area of Cross River Condition on Thursday.
He said the party restrained its supporters from retaliating and instead moved its convoy to the Commissioner of Police for protection.
He said the victims were taken to hospital for treatment, adding that the violence later escalated at the African Club along Calabar Road, where another meeting was scheduled.
Jarvis-Archibong said around 3,000 supporters attended the exercise and that the party had notified the police ahead of the tour, expecting acceptable security.
Yet, the status chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied responsibility for the incident.
He warned that continued attacks on political activities could undermine the democratic process and chief to a breakdown of law and command as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
According to him, hoodlums allegedly shot at the party’s convoy and damaged vehicles belonging to members of the consultative group.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, said the PDP should look elsewhere for those responsible, adding that the party was focused on its own political activities.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said police were verifying reports of gunfire, injuries and damage to advantage, adding that the circumstance was under command.
The candidate said the PDP would petition the Inspector-Widespread of Police, the Department of Situation Services (DSS) and other appropriate security agencies over the incidents.
The party said it had reported the incidents to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River Command, and appealed to its members to persist calm and steer clear of retaliatory actions.
The PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis-Archibong, said the earliest attack occurred at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Etubom Nyong Edet Okon I, where gunmen allegedly disrupted the meeting and injured three persons.
The PDP Condition Publicity Secretary, in a individual statement, condemned the attacks and urged security agencies to recognize and prosecute those responsible.
The Cross River Situation Police Command confirmed the incidents and said personnel had been deployed to the affected locations.
He advised residents to stay calm, evade affected areas where essential and refrain from circulating unverified facts, whilst assuring that police presence and monitoring had been strengthened to situation peace and people organization.
PDP supporters attacked in Calabar, several injured, vehicles damaged
Source: PDP supporters attacked in Calabar, many injured, vehicles damaged
