Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Photo Credit: The Cable
A town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos was disrupted on Thursday when suspected thugs stormed the venue in the Oregun area, forcing participants to flee for safety.
Footage of the incident shared by The Cable showed individuals carrying sticks and other objects as they entered the gathering, triggering panic among attendees.
The disturbance caused confusion inside the hall, with participants pushing towards the exit as chairs and other furniture were overturned. Some attendees were seen holding blue flags bearing the party’s colours as the disruption unfolded.
The violence subsequently spread to the adjoining compound, where people ran in different directions around parked vehicles, including a white minibus. Some individuals were also seen chasing others with sticks before the crowd dispersed along nearby roads.
The identities of those involved and their affiliations had not been established as of the time of filing this report.
The incident comes amid a series of attacks and disruptions involving political activities associated with the NDC and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On November 4, Obi’s convoy came under attack near Watt Market in Calabar, Cross River State, while he was travelling to attend the party’s presidential town hall meeting. Suspected political thugs reportedly threw stones, bottles and other objects at vehicles and supporters. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.
Recounting the experience at the town hall meeting, Obi said his security personnel advised him to take another route after the attackers allegedly armed themselves with machetes.
“They were throwing stones, and I saw people running back. And my security people said we should find another way because they have machetes and other things,” he said.
Earlier, on September 18, a rally involving supporters of Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was disrupted in Warri, Delta State. Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, accused politically sponsored attackers of targeting members of the campaign group, including the entourage of the NDC governorship candidate in the state.
Another attack occurred on September 12 when armed hoodlums invaded an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, firing shots and injuring attendees.
Following the incident and a separate disruption of a Peoples Democratic Party rally in Agbani, the Enugu State Police Command ordered an investigation. Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said Commissioner of Police Mamman Giwa had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to “thoroughly investigate” the incidents and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
The NDC subsequently released the names of eight victims of the Obuoffia attack. Police investigations also led to the arrest of traditional ruler Obiora Igwesi, a former lawmaker and other individuals over their alleged involvement.
However, the police also arraigned a man, Ani Samuel Chidi, who recorded and circulated footage of the Enugu attack, accusing him of publishing a false statement alleging another individual’s involvement in the violence. The development attracted criticism from the Enugu State chapter of the NDC, which accused the police of targeting a witness who documented the incident.
Separately, on September 8, Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata in Benue State to meet families of victims of the June 2025 massacre was disrupted after youths blocked his convoy.
Obi accused suspected hired thugs of preventing him from reaching the community, describing the visit as a humanitarian mission. The Benue State Government denied involvement, while the police confirmed that officers provided security for the movement and said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade.
