Sowore Attack: Police Confirm Incident, Arrest 11 Suspects as Oyebanji Denies Involvement

The Ekiti State Police Command successfully rescued Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), following an incident at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Reports claiming Sowore was abducted by armed men were dismissed by the police, who clarified that he was involved in an altercation with several individuals at an eatery in the Dalimore area of the city on Friday. Sowore had arrived in Ekiti State to participate in Saturday’s Ikogosi Marathon when the incident occurred, leading to social media claims of a kidnapping.

According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the command received a distress call and promptly deployed operatives who then rescued the politician. The statement explicitly clarified that "Mr. Sowore was not kidnapped," adding that initial investigations indicated he was involved in an T altercation at the facility. Sowore sustained minor injuries during the incident and received medical attention at the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.

Earlier, the Sowore/Magashi Presidential Election Campaign had raised an alarm about the incident, stating that the candidate and his team were attacked around 1 PM. Abdulkareem Musa, the campaign spokesperson, called on law enforcement agencies, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to investigate the matter and ensure Sowore's safety. The Ekiti police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, irrespective of political affiliation, and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic. Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, has ordered a discreet investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the altercation, to identify those involved and ensure justice is served.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, through his chief press secretary Yinka Oyebode, on Saturday denied any allegations linking his administration to the attack on Omoyele Sowore and his team. The governor stated that the state government had no involvement and called for a thorough police investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. Oyebode emphasized that the government completely dissociates itself from the incident and rejected any suggestion that it would harass or intimidate a political candidate, particularly highlighting the state's reputation for peaceful conduct in recent elections.

Conversely, Sowore alleged that the state government and the organizers of the Ikogosi Marathon, including Makinde Araoye, were involved in the attack. He called for international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and the marathon organizers. Furthermore, Sowore urged World Athletics to investigate the organizers and to bar any individuals found responsible from participating in future sporting events, stressing that "Sporting events must never become hunting grounds for political thugs, government-sponsored violence, intimidation, or assassination." He demanded an independent investigation and stated his intention to pursue legal action against the state government and the organizers.

In a significant development, the Ekiti State Police Command announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the attack. Police spokesperson Abutu Sunday confirmed that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad apprehended the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti around 10 PM on Friday. The arrested individuals were identified as Joseph Tayo, Olatunji Abayomi, Isaac Amba, Kehinde Ajigbana, Tosin David, Solomon Iyanu, Ogunsola Ayomide, Ojo Ayodeji, Kayode Dada, Segun Olatunji, and Salami Emmanuel. Items recovered from the suspects included two walkie-talkies, 13 mobile phones, eight international passports, seven ATM cards, two vehicle keys, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado. Police confirmed that Sowore and other victims had received medical attention and were subsequently discharged from the hospital. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the individual roles of the suspects and to identify any other participants in the attack, with Commissioner of Police Michael Falade assuring that all culprits will be brought to justice.

Sowore’s visit to Ekiti was in anticipation of the 2026 Ikogosi Marathon, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 31. The 17.5-kilometer race was planned to start at Ilawe-Ekiti Roundabout and conclude at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. Organizers had reported that approximately 13,722 participants, including runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, had registered for the event.