Suspected political thugs on Thursday attacked members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos, disrupting preparations for a major opposition town hall and damaging vehicles parked outside the venue.
The assault took place around 11:00 a.m. at the Classique Event Centre on Kudirat Abiola Way in the Oregun area of Ikeja. The gathering was convened ahead of the 2027 general elections to host NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Lagos governorship candidate Funsho Doherty.
Eyewitnesses and party officials confirmed that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso had reached the event centre when the violence broke out.
Armed Invasion Triggers Panic Along Kudirat Abiola Way
Armed with cutlasses, heavy wooden clubs, and stones, the gang marched toward the facility from Kudirat Abiola Way. Eyewitnesses reported hearing attackers conversing in Yoruba as they coordinated their approach, weighing whether to force their way past the compound gates.
The sudden raid sparked panic across the surrounding commercial district. Motorists made hasty U-turns to avoid flying debris, while pedestrians fled along adjoining roads to escape the disturbance.
Inside the compound, attackers smashed windscreens and windows on several vehicles, estimated by local reporters at up to ten cars and minibuses. Rented plastic chairs were overturned, glass shattered across the forecourt, and journalists covering the event reported that phones and camera equipment were seized during the scramble.
Supporters Mobilise to Defend Venue and Apprehend Suspect
Despite the sudden breach, NDC supporters and venue security personnel mobilised near the main entrance to repel the crowd. Their resistance prevented the attackers from entering the inner auditorium, where hundreds of attendees were already seated.
One NDC supporter, who suffered a bleeding head injury during the clash, told reporters at the scene that attendees stood their ground in self-defence until the gang retreated toward the highway.
During the retreat, party members disarmed and apprehended one suspected intruder. In video footage recorded by reporters, the captured man denied receiving political payment, claiming he had only entered the premises to beg for money. Police have not yet confirmed the identities or political affiliations of the attackers.
Escalating Attacks on Opposition Campaign Events
Thursday’s clash marks the latest in a series of violent disruptions targeting the opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On November 4, an armed mob ambushed Peter Obi’s convoy near Watt Market in Calabar, Cross River State, hurling stones, bottles, and machetes at campaign vehicles.
Lagos remains a fiercely contested battleground. Obi won the state during the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party ticket, defeating the ruling establishment on its home turf. Civic monitors have raised concerns that street enforcers are increasingly being deployed to suppress opposition visibility in key urban districts.
Official Reactions and Demands for Security Action
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council condemned the Oregun disruption, urging law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible.
In an official statement, campaign council spokesperson Dele Alake condemned recent political violence reported across Lagos, Edo, Cross River, and Gombe states, warning that street intimidation threatens public order and democratic stability.
Armed police operatives and patrol teams were subsequently stationed along Kudirat Abiola Way to secure the perimeter and maintain calm. Police representatives noted that event organisers had not provided prior written notification of the town hall gathering to local divisional stations.
