Two feared dead at ACN campaign rally in Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN)

Unconfirmed reports said two young men were killed yesterday afternoon in a bloody clash between rival gangs of political thugs at a campaign rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) in Shomolu, Lagos.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), addressed hundreds of supporters at the Angus Memorial High School, venue of the ACN Mega rally to canvass for votes for a second term in office.


An ACN campaign rally


The rally started peacefully with excited members of the party coming to the venue in cars, SUVs, minibuses, trucks and on foot, brandishing campaign banners, flags and almost everyone holding one broom, (popularly known as “Igbale” in the Yoruba language) the symbol of the ACN. They were chanting party slogans, drumming and dancing as the thronged the open field of the Angus Memorial High School. But outside the walls of the venue, the restless political thugs in fierce rivalry attacked themselves with bricks, pump action guns, machetes and other lethal weapons. An anti-riot squad of the Nigeria Police Force in armoured vehicle chased them away from the vicinity of the rally, but they continued their battle along the Bajulaiye Road. Unconfirmed reports said two of them died and others left with wounds from gunshots, machete cuts and other lethal weapons.