Several supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were injured while vehicles belonging to members of the party were damaged during the party’s consultative tour of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State on Thursday.

The PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis-Archibong, said the first 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.

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.

According to him, hoodlums allegedly shot at the party’s convoy and damaged vehicles belonging to members of the consultative team.

Jarvis-Archibong said about 3,000 supporters attended the exercise and that the party had notified the police ahead of the tour, expecting adequate security.

He said the party restrained its supporters from retaliating and instead moved its convoy to the Commissioner of Police for protection.

The candidate said the PDP would petition the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies over the incidents.

He warned that continued attacks on political activities could undermine the democratic process and lead to a breakdown of law and order as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

The PDP State Publicity Secretary, in a separate statement, condemned the attacks and urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The party said it had reported the incidents to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River Command, and appealed to its members to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions.

However, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied responsibility for the incident.

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 Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incidents and said personnel had been deployed to the affected locations.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said police were verifying reports of gunfire, injuries and damage to property, adding that the situation was under control.

He advised residents to remain calm, avoid affected areas where necessary and refrain from circulating unverified information, while assuring that police presence and monitoring had been strengthened to maintain peace and public order.

The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Plateau State, in collaboration with the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, has organised a free medical outreach for persons aged 60 and above in Jos.

The outreach, held to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Older Persons, featured free medical consultations, health talks, eye and ear examinations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, general health screening and provision of basic medications.

The programme was held on October 2, a day after the official International Day of Older Persons, which is observed globally every October 1.

The 2026 celebration is themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.”

Speaking during the event, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Stephen Bishmang, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health system and ensuring access to healthcare regardless of age, status or circumstance.

Bishmang commended MWAN and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital for organising the outreach, noting that collaboration between government, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations could help improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of older persons.

State President of MWAN, Sekyen Sana, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of older persons and helping them live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

She noted that ageing is a natural process and should not necessarily be associated with sickness, stress or emotional difficulties.

Sana said MWAN wants older persons to remain healthy, happy and able to enjoy their lives while encouraging them to pay greater attention to their health.

The Chief Medical Director of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Professor Christopher Yilgwan, represented by Barnabas Saidu, welcomed the beneficiaries and encouraged them to take advantage of available healthcare services.

He also urged retirees and older persons who had not been enrolled in the state health insurance programme to make enquiries and register so they could access available medical services.

Saidu stressed the importance of regular health checks, noting that medical conditions can be identified and treated more effectively when detected early.

Also speaking, the Plateau State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Shainan Andrew, pledged continued collaboration with MWAN and other stakeholders to expand healthcare interventions for older persons.

Andrew encouraged the beneficiaries to seek medical advice, ask questions about their health and take advantage of available healthcare services.

One of the beneficiaries, Da Samuel Davou, expressed appreciation to the organisers for providing the free medical services.

The organisers appealed to government agencies, non-governmental organisations, companies and other stakeholders to support similar initiatives to enable more older persons to access healthcare and enjoy healthier lives.

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