TheCable

Armed thugs, on Thursday, disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the house of assembly at Alimosho constituency 1.

According to NAN, the incident took place at about 4:50pm.

The primary, which held at the Mosan-Okunola local council development area (LCDA), was disrupted by thugs said to be loyal to some politicians.

They reportedly used dangerous weapons such as guns, cutlasses, knives and bottles, while people scampered for safety.

While it isn’t yet clear what led to the crisis, delegates, party faithful, electoral officers, and security personnel had to leave the premises of the primary following the outbreak of the violence.

The election was said to be initially scheduled to hold at Abesan mini stadium, Abesan Estate in Ipaja, but was moved to Mosan-Okunola LCDA.

The hoodlums, who took to the major road firing gunshots, disrupted vehicular and pedestrian movement, while shops and houses around the area were locked up.

Meanwhile, a team of officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) arrived the venue at about 5:10pm to calm the situation and beef up security.

The team, however, left the area about 15 minutes after they arrived when the situation became more tense.

Efforts to speak with some of the officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps in the area proved abortive, as some of them were also seen leaving the scene of the crisis.

When contacted by TheCable, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesman, said he had not received a report on the incident.

Meanwhile the Lagos APC house of assembly primaries have been postponed till Friday.

Yesiru Karamo, APC acting publicity secretary in Lagos, who confirmed the development, said the primaries were postponed because the governorship primary was concluded late.