Sowore Disputes Police Account of Ekiti Attack, Insists He Was Attacked

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the Ekiti State Police Command’s account of the incident in which he sustained injuries at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, insisting that he and his associates were attacked by suspected political thugs.

The police had dismissed reports that the activist was kidnapped by armed men, describing the incident as an altercation involving some individuals at a restaurant around the Dalimore area of the state capital.

However, Sowore rejected the police’s description of the incident in a post on X on Friday, accusing the command of downplaying the severity of the attack.

He also shared a video purportedly showing the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, leaving what appeared to be a hospital emergency room after visiting him.

In his post, Sowore alleged that the commissioner had personally witnessed the injuries sustained by him and his associates but that the police command had nevertheless described the incident as a mere altercation.

“The Commissioner of @PoliceNG in Ekiti State, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, personally visited the scene of the brutal attack against us in Ado-Ekiti today. He saw firsthand the extensive injuries we sustained, yet he has the audacity to issue a despicable statement describing a coordinated, violent attack as a mere ‘altercation.’

“THERE WAS NO ALTERCATION! WE WERE ATTACKED!

“The Commissioner saw the injuries, witnessed the aftermath of the violence, and was fully aware of the seriousness of what happened. Yet his Command has chosen to trivialize the attack, even describing the injuries as ‘minor,’” he wrote.

Earlier, Sowore had raised the alarm in another post on X, claiming that armed thugs had kidnapped him and that his whereabouts were unknown.

The Ekiti State Police Command, however, denied that he was kidnapped in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu.

According to the police, preliminary information indicated that Sowore had been involved in an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in the Dalimore area, prompting an alert to security operatives.

The command said officers immediately mobilised to the location, rescued the activist and took him to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for medical attention.

The statement read:

“The attention of the Ekiti State Police Command has been drawn to a message circulating on social media alleging that Mr. Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential election, was kidnapped by armed thugs in Ado-Ekiti, with his whereabouts unknown.

“The Command wishes to categorically clarify that Mr. Sowore was not kidnapped. Rather, preliminary information indicates that he had an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant around Dalimore area, Ado-Ekiti, following which the Police were immediately alerted.

“Upon receiving the report, Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued him. He, however, sustained a minor injury and is currently receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.”

The police command added that the Commissioner of Police had ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

It also urged members of the public to disregard reports of an alleged kidnapping and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Ekiti State, irrespective of political affiliation or status.