An atmosphere of anxiety surrounded supporters of Peter Obi and former Edo State governor John Oyegun on Tuesday after an alleged armed assault targeted their associates in Benin City, Edo State. The incident has heightened fresh concerns about the growing threat of politically motivated violence.

Footage circulating on social media captured scenes of chaos, with suspected thugs reportedly invading the premises and firing gunshots indiscriminately. The video showed clear bullet marks riddling the entrance gates, while several vehicles parked within the compound were said to have sustained heavy damage.

In the viral clip, the former presidential contender lamented the state of the nation’s democracy, pointing to the visible destruction. He stated that armed hoodlums had opened fire, stressing that the bullet holes etched into the gates were evidence of how far democratic values had deteriorated.

Another narrative of the episode suggested that the violence erupted shortly after the group departed the headquarters of the African Democratic Congress in Benin and made their way to Oyegun’s residence. According to this account, the attackers struck almost immediately after their arrival, shooting repeatedly and vandalising vehicles on the property.

An eyewitness further alleged that the assault was politically driven, connecting it to tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. The individual claimed that those behind the attack were acting out of fear of a potential loss by Bola Tinubu in the upcoming polls, suggesting the violence was intended as a warning sign of what the future political climate might hold.

At the time of filing this report, security agencies and relevant authorities had not released any formal statement addressing the incident.