Gun Battle Erupts At Venue Of Lagos PDP Gubernatorial Primaries

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Monday, December 8th, 2014

Massive gun battle erupts at the venue of the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos on Monday as political thugs loyal to leading aspirants engage in gun battle among themselves leading to pandemonium in the area.

Musiliu Obanikoro

The primary election is holding at Yard 158, Plot 34, Oregun Road, Lagos, Nigeria, with large number of political thugs in place to foment trouble.

Aspirants vying for the governorship seat are Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Dr Adegbola Dominic, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Mr Deji Doherty, Mr Tokunbo Kamson and Mrs Modupe Chukwuemeka.

African Examiner learnt that thugs belonging to Obanikoro and Agbaje engaged one another in battle for supremacy as they chant the praises of their candidates.

Earlier, there was tight security at the venue as the atmosphere was charged as security personnel were deployed to maintain peace and order at the venue. An armoured tank and several Rapid Response Squad pick up vans were deployed at the entrance of the venue to keep street urchins at bay.

Anti-bomb experts were also on ground to screen delegates and people entering the venue.

The accreditation of delegates which was to commence between 9am and 11 am was yet to commence as at 3.00pm as delegates for the election were locked out of the premises by security personnel.

All of a sudden, around 2.30pm, incessant gunshots rent the air as a convoy of one of the aspirants drove by. Political thugs in the convoy were shooting sporadically to disperse opponents as the others responded, leading to a gun battle.

There was pandemonium around Oregun as people ran helter and skelter to avoid stray bullets from hitting them.

Policemen dispersed rampaging thugs with teargas. Several canisters of teargas were released by the police to scare thugs away. The teargas further led to serious pandemonium as residents in the area, motorists on Oregun Road scamper to safety.

The political thugs later went to regroup at Olusosun area of Oregun and came back smoking releasing sporadic gunshots into the air, causing more pandemonium and releasing of more teargas by the police.

Journalists covering the event ran to take cover. One of them, a photographer with Daily Trust (name withheld) told African Examiner that he ran the race of his life as series of gunshots rent the air with teargas being released by the police.

Policemen later took control of the situation as passers-by were thorough screened before being allowed to pass.

As at 3.00pm, the primary election has not started as delegates were still locked outside the venue, with the aspirants yet to come to the venue and journalists still taking cover.