Thugs allegedly sponsored by the leading All Progressives Congress (APC) have been attacking opposition parties and causing serious crisis in parts of Lagos State.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Olaniyi Akinyemi yesterday evening became another victim of the attack by the suspected political thugs.

The attack which occurred close to the Ikota shopping complex saw people escaping to safety.

On Tuesday, 25th October, three persons were reportedly injured after suspected political thugs attacked the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.

When our correspondent arrived at the scene, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi shattered vehicle was still at the scene of the attack.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the attackers blocked Mr. Akinyemi, shattered his vehicle windows, dragged him out and started pouncing on him.

The witness who stated that there were at least three attackers described the fearful incident saying, “the attackers dragged him out of his vehicle and started beating him and stomping on him, and when people began to gather at the scene, they, (attackers) sensing being outnumbered, jumped into their vehicle, and left the scene”.

According to the eyewitness, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi who is also the Assistant Secretary of the PDP in Eti-Osa local government area was later rushed to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan with the help of sympathizers.

Commenting on the incident, Chairman of the PDP, Lagos state, Phillip Aivoji alleged that there have been frequent attacks on members of the Party and called on security agencies to do more to protect members of the opposition.

Accordingly, he said “we are in the period now where political parties sponsor thugs to attack, intimidate and even murder political opponents, the police should do more to protect members of the opposition parties.

“Politics should not be this bitter, we are being systematically targeted and intimidated into submission and we will not give up. We are ready to take over and free Lagos state from over two decades of misrule by the All Progressives Congress.

“The people are wiser now and are so ready to kick the APC out of Lagos state for good.”

It was gathered that the thugs that attacked the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting sporadically and using dangerous weapons.

The PDP Publicity Secretary in the State, Hakeem Amode, called on the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, Area Commander of Police in the Eti-Osa to do everything possible to fish out those behind the attack.

Also, he confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday, saying several members of the party and some journalists sustained injuries.

One of the journalists, he stated, is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are being treated.

When the reporter contacted the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin who confirmed the incident saying investigations have commenced.

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