Sowore Attack: Ekiti Police Arrest 11 Suspects as Search for Alleged Sponsors Continues
The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the reported attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.
The arrests followed an operation by operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The police disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abutu Sunday.
The suspects were identified 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.
According to the police, items recovered during the operation include two walkie-talkies, 13 mobile phones, seven ATM cards, eight international passports, two vehicle keys, a flash drive, an MTN 5G Wi-Fi device and identity cards.
Other items listed in the statement include substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two Indian hemp crushers, one pack of Rizla, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and ₦250.
The command said the suspects were in police custody, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the incident and identify other persons involved.
The arrests come a day after Sowore and members of his team reportedly sustained injuries during an incident at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
While the police initially described the incident as an altercation between Sowore and some individuals at the restaurant, the AAC presidential aspirant insisted that he and his associates were attacked by armed political thugs.
Sowore subsequently accused the Ekiti State Government and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of involvement in the alleged attack, claims that have not been independently established.
Reacting to Saturday’s announcement, Sowore described the arrest of the 11 suspects as an important development but questioned whether the investigation would extend to those he alleged coordinated and sponsored the attack.
In a statement, he specifically identified Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, and the Chief Security Officer to the Ekiti State Governor, CSP Ayodele Akinlua, as individuals whose alleged roles he wants investigated.
He also demanded the preservation and release of CCTV footage from the restaurant, arguing that the recordings could help identify those involved and establish how the incident occurred.
Sowore further called on the police and the DSS to conduct what he described as an independent and transparent investigation, insisting that the arrest of alleged perpetrators should not end with those who physically participated in the incident.
However, the police have not established any connection between the arrested suspects and the individuals named in Sowore’s allegations.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, assured the public that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing anyone found culpable to justice.
The police also confirmed that Sowore and the other persons affected by the incident had received medical attention and been discharged from the hospital.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, the individual roles of the arrested suspects and whether other persons were involved.
