On October 31, 2026, the Ekiti State Police Command announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the attack on human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti. The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti. The arrests were made following a credible tip-off at about 10pm on Friday, October 30.
The police identified the suspects 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 from them included two walkie-talkies, 13 mobile phones, seven ATM cards, eight international passports, a flash drive, a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, two vehicle keys, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado.
According to the police, the suspects are in custody while investigations continue to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the attack, and identify other persons involved. The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, assured the public that everyone found culpable would be brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.
However, Sowore described the arrests as an admission that the incident was not an ordinary altercation, as the police initially claimed. He maintained that the attack was a coordinated attempt to assassinate him and members of his team, alleging that the perpetrators were government-sponsored political thugs.
Sowore questioned why the police had arrested only the suspects allegedly involved in the attack without identifying those who planned and coordinated it. He demanded an investigation into the alleged roles of Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, and the Chief Security Officer to the Ekiti State Governor, CSP Ayodele Akinlua.
The activist also alleged that some of the individuals involved were associated with the City Boys group and called for investigations into their alleged connections with officials of the Ekiti State Government. He further demanded that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) preserve and release CCTV footage of the incident to enable Nigerians identify those involved.
The attack occurred at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, where Sowore and members of his team were reportedly assaulted ahead of the Ikogosi Marathon. The police said all the victims, including Sowore, had received medical attention and were treated and discharged from the hospital.
Key points
- The police arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ekiti state.
- Sowore alleged that the attack was a coordinated attempt to assassinate him and members of his team, involving government-sponsored political thugs.
- Sowore demanded an independent and transparent investigation, prosecution of all those implicated, and the release of CCTV footage of the incident.
