Police probe Obi town hall attack, arrest one suspect and confirm two injured as House opens inquiry

Photo: An NDC supporter waves the party flag after the attack on the Lagos town hall, 12 Nov 2026 · Photo: Channels TV

One suspect arrested, two men injured, and now the House of Representatives is investigating — the morning after the cutlasses at Obi's Lagos town hall.

Suspected political thugs stormed a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at about 11:00 WAT on Thursday, disrupting preparations for a meeting the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were due to address.

The Lagos State Police Command has now launched an investigation and confirmed that one suspect was arrested. The suspect, who identified himself only as Ibrahim, was apprehended by NDC supporters at the venue car park and handed to police; in a video circulating on social media he denied taking part in the attack, saying he had come to beg for money. Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi confirmed two men — Akinyemi Akeem and Ibrahim Babsule — sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Emergency Centre, Toll Gate. The police said preliminary information suggested the injured men were among those involved in the attack and their roles are being investigated. No further arrests have been confirmed and the attackers' sponsors remain unidentified.

Party members fought back and chased the attackers away, and supporters who refused to leave were still at the venue when Obi arrived. Naija News reported that he arrived to a roaring crowd — that detail has not been independently verified by a second outlet.

The attack follows reported hostilities against NDC supporters in Delta, Cross River and Benue states, including a recent attack on Obi's convoy in Calabar. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The NDC vowed to press ahead with its activities, and the APC Presidential Campaign Council, through Dele Alake, condemned the attack and reported attacks at political gatherings in Edo, Cross River and Gombe. The Senate condemned political violence in strong terms, and the House of Representatives set up an ad hoc committee to investigate reported cases of political violence, attacks on political gatherings and disruption of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. Lagos Police Commissioner Tijani Fatai visited the scene and said the command would provide security for all parties without discrimination.

Update, 13 Nov 2026 (morning): the Lagos police have confirmed one arrest and two named injured, and the House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate political violence. The suspect, Ibrahim, denies taking part in the attack; no sponsors have been identified.

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