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Supporters of Peter Obi were alledgedly attacked by political thugs on Saturday on their way to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) for the campaign rally of the Labour Party presidential candidate.
The victims accused the thugs of belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, alleging that they were attacked with machetes and other sharp objects.
The victims said that the miscreants vandalised the buses and cars deployed to transport Labour Party and Mr Obi supporters to the rally at TBS.
Footage circulated on social media showed some injured supporters of Mr Obi lying on the floor while some were receiving medical treatment from medical personnel at the campaign ground in TBS.
Mr Obi condemned the violent attack on his supporters in a series of tweet and demanded that security operatives protect their rights to assemble within the state without any fear of intimidation.
“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,” Mr Obi tweeted.
The police spokesperson in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, said investigation was ongoing, with plans to arrest the miscreants that launched the attacks.
He added that the victims and other witnesses are assisting the police with information that will aid in investigation and eventual prosecution.
“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,” Mr Hundeyin said.
“The injured and other witnesses are assisting the Police with relevant information that would aid the apprehension and prosecution of the attackers,” he added.
Mr Hundeyin added that police officers were on patrol to prevent any breakdown of law at the venue but the incident happened distance away from were police were stationed.
“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 police spokesperson further said.
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