There was violence and confusion in Lagos on Thursday after suspected thugs invaded a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Oregun, triggering a confrontation with supporters of the party.
The attackers, reportedly armed with cutlasses and cudgels, stormed Classic Event Place, the venue of the gathering, where the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, were scheduled to address supporters.
The invasion caused panic among attendees, with several people reportedly scrambling for safety as the suspected thugs forced their way into the event hall.
However, some supporters resisted the attack by throwing plastic chairs at the intruders, prompting a confrontation that later forced the suspected attackers out of the venue.
Videos from the incident showed some NDC supporters, dressed in blue shirts and white fez caps, chasing the suspected thugs out of the hall.
One of the alleged attackers was reportedly caught at the car park, where an angry group of supporters surrounded him and repeatedly struck him with sticks.
A voice was heard in the background urging the crowd to deal with the suspect as the confrontation intensified.
The violence subsequently spilled onto Kudirat Abiola Way, a major road in the area, disrupting movement as angry supporters reportedly moved onto the road.
Policemen deployed to the scene fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd and restore order.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Obi nor Kwankwaso had arrived at the venue.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the identities and motives of the suspected assailants were yet to be established.
Further details of the incident were also awaited.
