Sowore Speaks From Hospital, Accuses Ekiti Government House, DSS of Attack
Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused individuals allegedly linked to the Ekiti State Government House and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of involvement in an attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
Sowore made the allegation on Friday, October 30, following an incident at a restaurant in the Ekiti State capital, where he and members of his team were reportedly attacked by armed men.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, the activist alleged that the attackers came from the Government House and received tracking and operational assistance from DSS operatives.
He also accused the security agency of monitoring and harassing him and his team since their arrival in the state on Thursday.
“Since our arrival yesterday, DSS operatives have been trailing and harassing us. They even threatened the manager of the first place where we ate, warning him never to allow us to use his premises again,” he wrote.
Sowore said the attack occurred shortly after he completed an interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti.
He further alleged that the attackers descended on his team with the assistance of DSS operatives.
The incident initially generated concerns about his whereabouts after his social media accounts announced that armed men had attacked and abducted him, with his location reportedly unknown.
However, the Ekiti State Police Command later confirmed that an incident involving the activist occurred at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, while disputing claims that he was kidnapped.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, police operatives were mobilised to the scene following a distress report and intervened to rescue Sowore.
The command said the activist sustained minor injuries during what it described as an altercation with some individuals and was receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
It also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, had ordered a discreet investigation to establish the immediate and remote causes of the incident, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
The police urged members of the public to disregard reports of Sowore’s abduction, describing them as misleading.
However, Sowore subsequently challenged the police account of the incident, insisting that he and his team were victims of a violent attack rather than participants in an altercation.
He also alleged that the police commissioner personally visited the scene and witnessed the injuries sustained by members of his team.
The activist questioned the command’s description of the incident, maintaining that the injuries suffered by his team did not support its characterisation of the encounter as a minor altercation.
While the police have confirmed the incident and announced an investigation, Sowore’s allegations of involvement by individuals linked to the Ekiti State Government House and DSS operatives have not been independently established.
The Ekiti State Government and the DSS had yet to provide a publicly verified response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Sowore was in Ekiti State for engagements with members and leaders of his party, as well as participation in the Ekiti Ikogosi Marathon scheduled for Saturday, October 31.
The incident comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, raising fresh questions about the safety of political actors and the need for security agencies to protect citizens and political participants irrespective of their affiliations.
