The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in Ado-Ekiti.
The command disclosed this in a Saturday statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sunday Abutu.
It said the suspects were arrested at about 10 pm on Friday at Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti following a credible tip-off.
Those arrested are Joseph Tayo, 32, Olatunji Abayomi, 41, Isaac Amba, 22, Kehinde Ajigbana, 18, Tosin David, 18, and Solomon Iyanu, 18.
Others are Ogunsola Ayomide, 21, Ojo Ayodeji, 22, Kayode Dada, 32, Segun Olatunji, 28, and Salami Emmanuel, 53.
The command said items recovered from the suspects include two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two Indian hemp crushers, one pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards, thirteen mobile phones, two vehicle keys, and one flash drive.
Also recovered are one 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, one gas lighter and N250.
According to the statement, the arrests follow the incident at Tawakalitu Restaurant, Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, on Friday afternoon, where Sowore was having a meeting after a radio interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 as part of his campaign engagements ahead of the 2027 elections and participation in the Ikogosi 17.5km marathon scheduled for Saturday.
Sowore’s media team had initially raised an alarm on his verified accounts, stating: “Armed thugs kidnap Sowore. His current location is unknown!”
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that armed men stormed the restaurant, vandalised tables and chairs, damaged vehicles and forcibly took Sowore away.
The police disputed the abduction claim, saying Sowore was involved in an altercation with some individuals and was rescued by officers who responded to a distress call.
Sowore, however, rejected the police account, insisting he was attacked by government-sponsored thugs.
He alleged that the attackers came from the Ekiti State Government House and were given tracking and operational support by the Department of State Services (DSS), which had been trailing his team since Thursday. The allegations have not been independently established.
The command said the suspects are in custody while investigations continue to establish their individual roles, determine possible connections with the attack and identify other persons involved.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, assures the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all those found culpable are brought to justice,” the statement further reads.
The command also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property irrespective of political affiliations and urged members of the public to provide credible information to assist the investigation.
It added that all victims, including Sowore, who had been reported to have sustained injuries to his head, face and knee, have received medical attention, been treated and discharged from the hospital.
