Armed thugs on Thursday stormed a town hall meeting organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos, unleashing violence and sending participants fleeing for safety.
The hoodlums, armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, invaded the venue in the Oregun area of the state, disrupted proceedings and attempted to attack NDC supporters.
The attack reportedly occurred around 11am, shortly after supporters of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had gathered at the venue, dancing and singing ahead of the commencement of the meeting.
The atmosphere had been peaceful until the armed men approached the venue from Kudirat Abiola Road and attempted to force their way into the main hall.
They were initially resisted by NDC supporters before the situation degenerated into pandemonium.
The attackers were reportedly heard speaking in Yoruba, boasting that the NDC supporters were too few to withstand an attack.
Some of the hoodlums were also allegedly heard asking their superiors for permission to storm the venue with guns.
The invasion triggered panic in the area as participants scrambled for safety, while pedestrians ran for their lives.
Motorists plying Kudirat Abiola Way were also forced to make U-turns or take alternative routes to escape the unfolding violence.
The attack comes against the backdrop of the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), polled 582,354 votes to defeat the APC in Lagos, traditionally regarded as the ruling party’s stronghold.
He is now the presidential candidate of the NDC, with former Kano State Governor, Kwankwaso, as his running mate.
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