Police confirm ‘reprehensible’ attack on Obi supporters in Lagos, as LP campaign train storms TBS

Police Command in Lagos has confirmed a violent attack on some supporters of the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr Peter Obi, who were said to be heading to the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) ground venue of the party’s mega rally in the state, this Saturday.

The police while confirming injuries to four LP supporters involved the attack by suspected ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs, in the Jakande area of Lekki, in the state, further described the attack as ‘reprehensible.’

A viral video circulating on the internet showed the victims narrating their ordeal while receiving treatment provided by the medical team of the Obi/Datti campaign at the TBS.

According to the victims, the suspects gave machete cuts on persons, broke their vehicle, snatched their phones and other items for allegedly wearing clothes carrying the LP logo.

Reacting the to the attack, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the unfortunate incident, even as he declined to name the suspected attackers.

SP Hundeyin, in a statement via his verified Twitter handle (@BenHundeyin), said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has commenced investigations into the attack, adding that it was the LP that notified the Command of the attack, this Saturday.

“I don’t know if they are Labour Party of APC members but I can confirm that some people attacked others and the DPO in that area is already on the matter.

“Jakande Ward Chairman of Labour Party commendably reported an attack on his party members at Ilasan Division. Four injured persons have been given medical attention. DPO Ilasan has commenced preliminary investigations while SCID is to fully take over investigations.

“The injured and other witnesses are assisting the Police with relevant information that would aid the apprehension and prosecution of the attackers.

“This attack is reprehensible! It is verifiable that the Command had stationed, since yesterday, patrol vehicles and officers at the Tafawa Balewa Square venue of today’s rally. We had already secured the venue to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

“The regrettable attack happened at about 15km away from the rally venue. As earlier stated, the SCID will take over investigations towards apprehending and prosecuting the attackers,” the Lagos police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the LP presidential campaign council, Dr Aliyu Tanko, who also confirmed the attack, said the attackers were aiming at stopping supporters from reaching the rally ground on the Lagos Island venue of the TBS.

“The ObiDent Movement is under attack in Lagos, they are stopping our people from coming to the TBS rally.

“Nothing can stop a movement whose time has come. Security operatives take note. We keep moving Obidently and Yusfully,” Tanko.

Also reacting to the violent attack on his supporters, Saturday, Dr Obi, in a statement via his verified Twitter account (@PeterObi), called on security agencies to ‘protect those exercising their fundamental rights of free speech and assembly.’

“As we go into the final stretch for the 2023 elections, I call on all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation or tendency, to eschew violence. I condemn any form of violence and political thuggery; and especially the incessant attacks on my Obidient supporters.

“I call on the security forces nationwide to protect those exercising their fundamental rights of free speech and assembly. Our civic space must not shrink further.”

Obi and his Vice Presidential candidate at the Labour Party, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, along with the National Chairman, Barr (Dr) Julius Abure; Director General of the campaigns, Balogun Akin Osuntokun, are currently in Lagos holding a mega rally at the TBS ahead of the February 25 poll, with top chieftains of the party in attendance.

However, the Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, opted to do a Lagos City Walk which saw him at the Alaba International Market, in Ojo, through the Festac First Gate and Orile Iganmu, all along the Badagry Expressway before heading onto the Carter Bridge for the TBS venue of the mega rally.

A statement issued, Friday, by Mr. Olawale Okunniyi in Lagos, on behalf of the LP Presidential Campaign Council’s Local Organising Committee, said the Obi-Datti Movement, which took the country by storm as a formidable alternative political force to both the ruling APC and its main opposition, the PDP, is also scheduled to engage Students and Youths around Jibowu, Yaba earlier in the morning at 9am before meeting women leaders of various sectors of the society to be addressed by Mrs Margaret Obi, wife of the Presidential Candidate and Hajia Datti Baba Ahmed, wife of the Vice Presidential Candidate at the Tafawa Balewa Square Arcade before storming the Mega Rally scheduled to start at 12noon.

“Part of the itinerary of Obi’s visit is also a scheduled visit to the traditional rulers in the State.

“Some of the eminent political leaders and dignitaries expected to grace the Mega Rally include, Afenifere and Yoruba Leader, Nonagenarian, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Secretary General of Afenifere and Southwest Coordinator of the Obi-Datti PCC, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Chief Supo Shonibare, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council in Lagos State, the Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Arc Gbadebo Rhode Vivour and his Deputy, Princess Islamiyat Oyewusi, National Chief Mobiliser, Sir Olawale Okunniyi, Former Defence Minister, Mrs Modupe Adelaja, Chairman of Of the Party’s Elders Council in the State, Chief Sumbo Onitiri, State Chairman of the Party, Pastor Mrs Dayo Ekong, Former Governorship Candidate of the Party in Lagos State, Dr Rotimi Olulana, granddaughter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Funke Awolowo, Lagos PCC Coordinator, John Ugulu, Candidates of the Party, including Hon Mooshod Salvador, among others,” the statement read.