From Dw · · 1m
Nigeria: Thugs attack opposition rally
Axe-wielding thugs assault Peter Obi's campaign rally in Lagos ahead of 2027 election.
In brief
Axe-wielding thugs assault Peter Obi's campaign rally in Lagos ahead of 2027 election. Nigeria's opposition campaign rally in Lagos was attacked by armed men with axes and clubs two months before the January 2027 presidential election. Originally reported by Dw.
Attack on rally
Axe-wielding thugs attacked supporters of opposition candidate Peter Obi at a political rally in Lagos two months before Nigeria's January 16, 2027 presidential election.
“A group of armed men rushed a campaign event in Nigeria on Thursday, attacking journalists and supporters of opposition candidate Peter Obi at a political rally two months before the country's January 16, 2027, presidential election”
APC denies involvement
APC spokesman Felix Morka rejected claims the attack was orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing a lack of evidence.
“APC spokesman Felix Morka rejected the claim, citing a lack of evidence”
NDC accuses APC
The Nigerian Democratic Congress accused the ruling party of forcing campaign events to cancel due to government pressure on venue owners.
“The NDC has also accused the APC of being behind the forced cancellation of several of its campaign events, claiming the government of President Bola Tinubu is pressuring venue owners to turn them away”
Street violence
Thugs and supporters fought for over an hour before police arrived, using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“After that, the two groups engaged in pitched street battles for over an hour before police arrived on the scene and began firing tear gas to disperse them”
Journalist attacked
A journalist was hit with an axe, punched and kicked before thugs stole his equipment, demanding he surrender his camera.
“I tried to resist, so they started attacking me”
At a glance
Nigeria's opposition campaign rally in Lagos was attacked by armed men with axes and clubs two months before the January 2027 presidential election.
