Violence broke out on Tuesday during the inauguration of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Sky Power Ground, Oba Akinjobi Road, Ikeja, Lagos, as hoodlums invaded the venue and engaged in a supremacy battle.
Among those who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries
A leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, was also stabbed during the clash.
The rally, which started around 12.30pm, was said to have ended abruptly.
The Punch gathered that popular fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, aka K1 De Ultimate, was on the stage thrilling the audience when a gunshot was fired.
Confusion thereafter ensued as the hoodlums, suspected to be supporters of MC Oluomo and Mustapha Adekunle, aka Seigo, another union leader, invaded the arena with guns, daggers, cutlasses and other weapons, leading to a free-for-all.
They were seen attacking one another with machetes as many fled for safety.
Continuous gunshots could be heard as the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, delivered his speech and called for support for the flag bearers of the party in the elections.
Amidst the noise, Ambode told the crowd that the police were in control of the situation.
However, things degenerated as the gunshots continued.
The governor was later escorted out of the venue and was joined by the Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, and the APC governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was unable to present his speech. He hurriedly gave the closing remarks.
Policemen later engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle, as people ran helter-skelter.
A reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria said some people were dispossessed of their phones, money and other valuables by pickpockets and other criminals.
A large number of party faithful were also reported to have trekked to their various homes due to the heavy vehicular traffic caused by the violence.
The police spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the incident. He said, “Two suspects have been arrested.”
Oti noted that the clash was started by Seigo, who had been declared wanted by the command. He said MC Oluomo was rushed to the EKO Hospital, Ikeja, where he was recuperating.
