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Police Rescue Sowore After Armed Attack in Ado-Ekiti Restaurant
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was attacked by armed men on Friday at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
The incident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. at Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services in the Dalimore area, where Sowore was having a meeting during his campaign tour.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the armed men stormed the premises, vandalised tables and chairs, damaged vehicles outside, and forcibly took Sowore away.
The initial report identified the attackers as political thugs allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Footage from the scene showed scattered furniture and a damaged vehicle with a flat tyre.
The alleged abduction was announced on Sowore’s verified Facebook and X accounts: “Armed thugs kidnap Sowore. His current location is unknown!”
However, the Ekiti State Police Command has dismissed the kidnap claim.
In a statement signed by Police PRO, SP Sunday Abutu, the Command said Sowore was not kidnapped but involved in an altercation with some individuals at the restaurant.
Operatives responded to a distress call and rescued him.The Police said Sowore sustained a minor injury and is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, has ordered a discreet investigation.
In his own account, Sowore later alleged that the attackers came from the Government House and were aided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) who had been trailing him since his arrival.
“Since our arrival yesterday, DSS operatives have been trailing and harassing us. They even threatened the manager of the first place where we ate,” Sowore wrote.
The AAC, through its National Publicity Secretary Rex Elanu, and the Sowore/Magashi Campaign have condemned the attack and called on the Inspector General of Police and Ekiti Governor to guarantee Sowore’s safety.
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, is in Ekiti ahead of the Ikogosi Marathon scheduled for Saturday.
His defence counsel had on Thursday, October 29, told the Federal High Court Abuja he was in Ekiti for campaign activities.
The court adjourned his cyberbullying trial to November 3, 2026.Amnesty International and rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju have also expressed concern over the incident.
