Police Arrest 11 Suspects Over Attack on Sowore, Recover 13 Phones, Passports, Others in Ekiti

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The suspects were reportedly arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10pm on Friday, following a tip-off.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, identifying 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.

According to the police, items recovered during the operation include two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two hemp crushers, a pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards and 13 mobile phones. Other recovered items include eight international passports, two vehicle keys, a flash drive, an MTN 5G Wi-Fi device, identity cards, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and ₦250.

The command said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and determine their possible connections with the attack. The Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, assured residents that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, promising that the command would leave no stone unturned.

Reacting to the arrests, Sowore demanded that the police extend their investigation to those who allegedly planned, financed and coordinated the attack.

In a post on X on Saturday, the activist described the incident as a coordinated assault, insisting that the arrest of 11 suspects would not be sufficient if the alleged sponsors and organisers were not also identified and apprehended.

“Arresting 11 suspects is not enough if those who planned, financed, coordinated and facilitated the attack remain untouched,” he wrote.

Sowore also alleged that some of the attackers were associated with the City Boys group and called for investigations into possible links between the incident and officials of the Ekiti State Government.

He further urged the police commissioner and the Department of State Services (DSS) to preserve and release CCTV footage from the scene to help identify everyone involved. He also questioned the police’s initial description of the incident as an altercation.

The police have yet to establish publicly whether the arrested suspects acted alone or were connected to any alleged sponsors. Their possible involvement remains subject to the ongoing investigation.