The primary election collation was ongoing at Lushville Hotel and Suite, in GRA, Benin City and was beamed live on TV.

Results of the primary election from eight local government areas had already been announced when journalists covering the event were alerted to vacate the centre of the event.

Before journalists could gather their things together, the thugs swooped on the venue after the police operatives at the gate.

Several journalists, including an NTA cameraman and FRCN reporter, were manhandled and their equipment was vandalised.

The presence of the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, with the officials of the party at the Centre did not deter the hoodlums from engaging in the free for all.

At the time of filling this report, it was not yet clear what was actually going on and how the crisis would end.