Photo: Onlookers at the scene of the NDC gathering in Lagos on Thursday — Vanguard
Armed thugs stormed a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in the Oregun area of Lagos on Thursday, disrupting proceedings and sending supporters fleeing for safety.
The attack was first reported by TheCable and has now been independently reported by Punch — which described sticks wielded and furniture overturned — and by News Central TV, whose reporter was live at the venue.
- Attackers with cutlasses, cudgels and stones invaded a town hall held for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi
- Party members fought back, repelled the attackers and apprehended one suspect
- The detained man, identified as Ibrahim, denied taking part; Lagos Police had not commented as of publication
- NDC officials have blamed the APC; Lagos APC has condemned the attack and denied any involvement
What happened at the Oregun town hall
News Central TV's Igbalaniyi Omoniyi, reporting live from the venue, described attendees rushing indoors as the attack erupted, before emerging to find vehicle windscreens smashed.
NDC House of Assembly candidate for the Ikeja Federal Constituency, Joseph Orukpe, said organisers were hosting the town hall for presidential candidate Peter Obi when the group invaded, destroying vehicles and party merchandise.
"Several thugs armed with cutlasses, guns, and dangerous weapons stormed the venue and started dismantling vehicles and destroying our merchandise," Orukpe said, adding that members defended themselves and apprehended one of the attackers.
The man apprehended at the scene denies involvement
The detained suspect, identified as Ibrahim, denied participating in the violence or carrying a machete, and insisted nobody paid or sent him. He said he only came to ask for money because high-profile figures were present: "Wherever I see high-profile people, I come to beg for money. I was not sent."
No official injury toll has been confirmed, and Lagos Police had not issued a statement as of first publication.
NDC blames APC as Lagos APC denies involvement
NDC officials have since pointed fingers at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party's National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, asked on social media why the ruling party was afraid of Peter Obi, while other NDC figures described the attackers as APC thugs — an affiliation that has not been independently established.
Lagos APC has condemned the attack and categorically denied any involvement. In a statement, the party's State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, called the allegation "reckless, baseless and irresponsible" and a desperate attempt to drag Lagos APC into an incident for which the accusers have presented no credible evidence linking the ruling party.
Oladejo noted that the party's leadership, elected officials and stakeholders were in Epe on Thursday for the official flag-off of its 2027 general election campaign, and challenged the NDC to present any credible evidence to the security agencies rather than make public insinuations. He also called on the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services to investigate the incident and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council has likewise condemned the disruption of the town hall meeting and called on security agencies to arrest and punish those behind it.
The latest attack on NDC gatherings ahead of 2027
The Oregun attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents at NDC gatherings ahead of the 2027 elections, following reported attacks in Delta State on November 7 and 8 and in Cross River State on November 5.
Lagos Police have still not issued a statement on the attack. NTN will update this story as the police respond.
Sources: TheCable; Punch; News Central TV (live report from the venue); Vanguard (attack report and Lagos APC statement). Follow @newstweetnaija for more.
