Unidentified thugs on Friday attacked reporters present at the Annual General Meeting of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

The incident occurred at the NECA house in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos state close the Fela Shrine.

At least five reporters including a TV360 Nigeria Crew member were beaten during the incident.

Another reporter from Punch Newspapers who was beaten during the incident sustained minor injuries.

Some journalists also had their cameras destroyed by the thugs.

The incident began when the Annual General Meeting of NECA slated to hold for 10am was delayed after a group of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) invaded the premises of the meeting.

The group, led by Joseph Ajaero was protesting the recent agreement reached by NECA and another faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend picketing some commercial banks over mass sack.

Ajaero says his group is not a party to the agreement, which was reached by the Ayuba Wabba led faction.

Carrying placards and singing solidarity songs, the Members of the labour faction tried to prevent NECA from holding the meeting.

They called NECA Director-General, Olusegun Oshinowo, to stop victimising workers by supporting massive sacking in the private sector.

Moments later, three buses filled with thugs invaded the premises of the protest.

They began beating both journalists and NLC protesters.

Sources say the thugs may have been hired by NECA Director-General, Olusegun Oshinowo to stop the NLC protest.

The mayhem lasted for over an hour.

After the ruthless assault, the thugs left the premises of NECA and members of the association went in to hold their meeting. (TV360 Nigeria)

•Photo shows Ajaero.