Sowore Reacts As Ekiti Police Arrest 11 Over Attack

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to the arrest of 11 suspects by the Ekiti State Police Command following the physical assault on him and his team at an Ado-Ekiti restaurant, demanding that the masterminds and sponsors of the attack be brought to justice.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) apprehended the suspects during a 10:00 p.m. raid on Friday at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti, acting on targeted intelligence.

“The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested eleven (11) suspects in connection with the alleged attack on Mr Omoyele Sowore, an African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, and other persons at Tawakalitu Restaurant, Dalimore Area of Ado-Ekiti,” the police statement read.

The police spokesperson listed the arrested individuals as Joseph Tayo (32), Olatunji Abayomi (41), Isaac Amba (22), Kehinde Ajigbana (18), Tosin David (18), Solomon Iyanu (18), Ogunsola Ayomide (21), Ojo Ayodeji (22), Kayode Dada (32), Segun Olatunji (28), and Salami Emmanuel (53).

“Items recovered 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, one flash drive, one 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, one gas lighter and ₦250,” the command added.

Law enforcement authorities noted that investigations remain ongoing to establish the specific involvement of each suspect and trace potential links to higher-level political actors or sponsors.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, assured the public that the command will prosecute everyone involved, stating that the force “will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all those found culpable are brought to justice.”

Responding to the arrests in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Sowore described the police operation as an implicit admission that the incident was a planned violent assault rather than a routine tavern brawl.

The political activist alleged that several of the physical attackers are affiliated with the “City Boys” political network and called for a full investigation into potential operational ties between the assailants and Ekiti State Government officials.

Sowore directly urged Commissioner of Police Falade Adegoroye Michael and the Department of State Services (DSS) to preserve and release all CCTV footage retrieved from the scene to ensure transparent identification of the perpetrators.

“Arresting 11 suspects is not enough if those who planned, financed, coordinated and facilitated the attack remain untouched,” Sowore posted.

The AAC flagbearer also demanded a formal retraction and explanation from the police command over its initial public statements, which classified the violent confrontation as a simple “altercation.”