VIDEO: Thugs invade NDC town hall meeting in Lagos - Punch Newspapers

Suspected thugs invaded a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the Oregun area of Lagos State, disrupting the gathering and forcing attendees to flee. A video shared by TheCable on Thursday showed people wielding sticks and other objects as they stormed the venue, sending participants scrambling for safety. The footage showed a chaotic scene inside the hall, with people pushing one another near the entrance as chairs and other furniture were overturned. Some attendees were seen holding blue flags associated with the party as the disturbance spread through the venue. The violence later spilled into the adjoining compound, where people were seen running in different directions around parked vehicles, including a white minibus. Some individuals were also seen wielding sticks and chasing others, while groups dispersed along nearby roads. The identities of the attackers and their affiliations were not immediately established. The incident is the latest in a series of separate attacks and disruptions involving political activities linked to the NDC and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in different parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources On November 4, Obi’s convoy was attacked near Watt Market in Calabar, Cross River State, while he was heading to the party’s presidential town hall meeting. PUNCH Online reported that suspected political thugs ambushed the convoy, throwing stones, bottles and other dangerous objects at vehicles and supporters. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident. Speaking at the town hall meeting afterwards, Obi recounted how his security team advised him to take another route after the attackers allegedly armed themselves with machetes. He said, “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.” Earlier, on September 18, suspected thugs reportedly disrupted a campaign rally involving supporters of Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Warri, Delta State. Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, alleged in a post on X that politically sponsored thugs attacked members of the campaign group, including the entourage of the NDC governorship candidate in the state. In another incident on September 12, armed hoodlums reportedly invaded an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, firing sporadically and injuring attendees. The Enugu State Police Command subsequently ordered an investigation into the attack and a separate disruption of a Peoples Democratic Party rally in Agbani. The police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said the 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 that those responsible were brought to book. The NDC later named eight victims of the attack, while subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of a traditional ruler, Obiora Igwesi, a former lawmaker and others over their alleged involvement in the violence. However, the police also arraigned a man, Ani Samuel Chidi, who recorded and circulated footage of the Enugu attack, over allegations that he published a false statement accusing another individual of participating in the violence. The development drew criticism from the Enugu State chapter of the NDC, which accused the police of turning against a witness who recorded evidence of the attack. Also, on September 8, Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, Benue State, to meet families of victims of the June 2025 massacre was obstructed after youths blocked his convoy. Obi accused suspected hired thugs of preventing him from reaching the community, describing the trip as a humanitarian mission. The Benue State Government denied involvement, while the police confirmed that officers had provided security for the movement and said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade. Fawzi Kehinde Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.

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