Panic erupted in the Oregun area of Lagos State on Thursday after suspected thugs armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones attacked supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting organised for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The hoodlums reportedly stormed the venue while the political gathering was still in progress, disrupting proceedings and forcing participants to flee for safety.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers invaded the hall with dangerous weapons, triggering confusion as supporters and other participants scampered in different directions to escape the violence.
The sudden attack reportedly left chairs and other items at the venue scattered, while the meeting was brought to an abrupt halt.
Amid the confusion, some participants were said to have attempted to resist the attackers, while others concentrated on finding safe routes out of the venue.
In a related development, one of the suspected attackers was reportedly apprehended by people at the scene and subsequently handed over to law enforcement agents.
A video circulating on social media purportedly showed the apprehended individual being restrained by some people before being taken into police custody.
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As of the time of filing this report, details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the identity of the suspect and whether other attackers had been apprehended remained unclear.
It was also not immediately established whether anyone sustained injuries during the incident or the extent of damage caused to property at the venue.
The attack comes amid growing concerns over reported incidents of violence and intimidation at political gatherings associated with the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disruption of the Lagos meeting has raised fresh questions about the safety of political candidates, party supporters and other participants at campaign-related events.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, while political parties are expected to conduct their activities without intimidation or violence.
Meanwhile, security agencies are expected to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack