Pandemonium broke out in the Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State, at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after suspected political thugs invaded a town hall meeting organized by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The gathering, held at the Classique Event Place along Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, was convened ahead of the scheduled appearance of the NDC’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the party’s Lagos State governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty.
Prior to the disruption, party faithful had gathered peacefully at the venue, singing and dancing in anticipation of the candidates’ arrival. However, around 11:00 a.m., a group of hoodlums approaching from Kudirat Abiola Road stormed the premises armed with cutlasses, cudgels, stones, and firearms.
According to eyewitness accounts and reporters at the scene, the assailants attempted to force their way into the main auditorium while overheard seeking permission from superiors to deploy guns against the crowd.
The invasion sparked widespread panic across the commercial district, forcing motorists plying Kudirat Abiola Way to make abrupt U-turns and pedestrians to flee for safety.
During the chaos, vehicles parked at the venue were vandalised, furniture was overturned, and several journalists had their phones and cameras seized by the attackers.
Despite being outnumbered initially, NDC supporters mounted a resistance at the entrance, preventing the thugs from taking over the main hall and apprehending one of the suspected attackers before security operatives intervened and fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.
Reacting to the violence, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, condemned the invasion and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the assault. In an official statement issued on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter), Director stated:
”Thugs attacking NDC members in the Town Hall meeting scheduled for Classic Event Center, Oregun, Lagos. Why is APC afraid of Peter Obi?”
Similarly, Joseph Orukpe, the NDC candidate for the Ikeja Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 House of Representatives election, confirmed that the assailants arrived with guns, clubs, and other dangerous weapons to disrupt the peaceful assembly.
An eyewitness, Isaac Obasi, also recounted to press correspondents how the attackers damaged property and targeted media personnel covering the event.
Thursday’s attack in Lagos marks the latest in a string of violent disruptions targeting the NDC’s nationwide campaign engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections. It follows an attack on Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar, Cross River State, earlier in November, as well as a deadly disruption during an NDC rally in Asaba, Delta State, four days prior.
While additional security personnel were subsequently deployed to Classique Event Place to restore normalcy, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement confirming the number of casualties or arrests as of press time.
