By Ade Oyeyemi
Panic erupted in the Oregun area of Lagos State on Thursday after suspected political thugs armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones invaded a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, forcing participants to flee for safety.
The attackers reportedly stormed the venue while the meeting was underway, disrupting proceedings and sending supporters of the opposition party scrambling for cover.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the hoodlums wielded dangerous weapons as they invaded the gathering, creating confusion and forcing several participants to abandon the meeting.
Chairs and other items at the venue were reportedly scattered as attendees hurriedly fled in different directions to escape the violence.
A video of the incident circulating on social media showed the disruption at the venue and the panic that followed the alleged invasion.
As of the time of filing this report, details of possible casualties and the extent of damage to property remained unclear. It was also uncertain whether the police had made any arrests in connection with the incident.
The attack comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a series of violent incidents reportedly involving gatherings associated with the NDC.
The latest incident has again raised concerns about the safety of political gatherings and the need for security agencies to prevent violence during electioneering activities.
