On Thursday morning, a town‑hall organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Oregun, Lagos, was violently interrupted by a large group of armed men, leaving several supporters injured and many personal items stolen.
What happened at the Oregun rally?
- Approximately 50 individuals described as political thugs arrived in five commercial LT buses, brandishing firearms, cutlasses, axes and machetes.
- The assault began around 8 a.m., while party members were waiting for the arrival of the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso.
- Four NDC members sustained injuries; several attendees reported loss of mobile phones.
- Only two operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) were on site, and they discharged warning shots into the air to disperse the attackers.
- By the time of reporting, more than 20 armed police officers had arrived, but the crowd was still awaiting the candidates.
Who recounted the incident?
Olamilekan Olayiwola, the Ward F Chairman and security coordinator for the event, told reporters that supporters had gathered as early as 8 a.m. He observed the five LT buses parked outside the venue and noted that the occupants threatened to “scatter everything.” He said, “Four party members were injured and many lost their phones. There was no police officer on the ground except for two DSS operatives who fired warning shots.”
Why was security deemed inadequate?
Olayiwola appealed to political leaders and security agencies, urging them to provide robust protection for campaign events and polling stations across Lagos State. He warned that without proper measures, future gatherings could turn “bloody.”
Background context
The NDC, a relatively new political formation, has been campaigning vigorously ahead of the upcoming national elections. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, often witnesses heightened political tension during election cycles, with rival groups sometimes resorting to intimidation. The presence of only two DSS operatives, despite the high‑profile nature of the event, raised concerns about coordination between party organizers and security agencies.
What follows now?
The NDC has called for an investigation into the breach and for the deployment of additional security personnel at forthcoming rallies. Meanwhile, supporters remain on standby for the arrival of Obi and Kwankwaso, hoping the incident will not deter the scheduled campaign activities.
Photos from the scene were later published by Vanguard News.