Thugs storm NDC meeting in Lagos, attendees flee

Abimbola Joseph

Suspected political thugs have disrupted a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Oregun, Lagos State, forcing participants to flee for safety.

A video shared by TheCable on Thursday showed people armed with sticks and other objects storming the venue, triggering panic and chaos among attendees.

The footage captured participants scrambling towards the exit as chairs and other furniture were overturned. Some attendees, carrying blue flags associated with the party, were seen running for cover.

The violence reportedly spread to the adjoining compound, where individuals wielding sticks chased others around parked vehicles, including a white minibus. Groups of people were also seen fleeing along nearby roads.

The identities of the attackers and their motives were not immediately known. There was also no immediate official statement on the incident.

The attack comes amid a series of reported disruptions and violent incidents involving activities of the NDC and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On November 4, Obi’s convoy was attacked 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 hurled stones, bottles and other dangerous objects at vehicles and supporters. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.

Obi later recounted how his security team advised him to take an alternative 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.

In another incident on September 18, suspected thugs reportedly disrupted a 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 attackers targeted members of the campaign group, including the entourage of the party’s governorship candidate in the state.

Similarly, armed hoodlums reportedly invaded an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, on September 12, firing gunshots and injuring participants.

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 investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The NDC later identified eight victims of the Enugu attack. Police investigations also led to the arrest of traditional ruler Obiora Igwesi, a former lawmaker and other suspects over their alleged involvement.

However, the police also arraigned a man, Ani Samuel Chidi, who recorded and circulated footage of the attack, over allegations that he published a false statement accusing another individual of participating in the violence. The development attracted criticism from the Enugu State chapter of the NDC, which accused the police of targeting someone who had documented the incident.

Earlier, on September 8, Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, 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 said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade.