Breaking: Sowore Identifies Alleged City Boys Movement Leader Among Suspected Attackers In Ekiti, Links Tinubu’s Aide To Controversy
By Passman Akpos
ABUJA/ADO-EKITI — Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that one of the individuals identified as a leader of the armed group that attacked him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on October 30, 2026, is also a leader of the City Boys Movement in the state.
Sowore made the allegation in a fresh statement accompanied by a photograph showing the individual standing alongside Asefon Sunday Dayo, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who currently serves as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Student Engagement and National Director of Student Engagement of the City Boys Movement, according to Sowore.
The latest allegation has introduced another political dimension to the controversy surrounding the violent incident, which has already generated widespread public debate over political violence, security agencies’ conduct and the protection of opposition figures in Nigeria.
SOWORE IDENTIFIES ALLEGED CITY BOYS MOVEMENT CONNECTION
In his statement, Sowore claimed that one of the individuals his team had identified as a leader of the armed group involved in the October 30 incident was connected to the City Boys Movement, Ekiti State Chapter.
He presented the photograph showing the individual alongside Asefon as part of the information he said had emerged from efforts to identify those allegedly involved in the assault.
Although the photograph may provide a lead for further investigation, the alleged political affiliation and the individual’s precise role in the attack have not been independently established.
Sowore’s allegation raises questions about whether individuals associated with political mobilisation groups could have been involved in the incident and whether investigators are examining possible connections beyond the suspects already arrested.
SOWORE RECALLS PREVIOUS THREAT BY TINUBU’S PRESIDENTIAL AIDE
The activist also brought up an earlier confrontation involving Asefon Sunday Dayo, alleging that the former NANS president had previously threatened to attack him during his tenure as student union leader.
The allegation has added another layer to the unfolding controversy, particularly because Asefon currently occupies a position within the Tinubu administration and holds a national leadership role in the City Boys Movement.
However, Sowore’s reference to the alleged previous threat does not independently establish that Asefon had any involvement in the October 30 incident.
Neither the photograph nor the alleged previous threat establishes criminal responsibility on the part of Asefon or the individual identified by Sowore.
The allegations nevertheless raise questions that may warrant clarification, particularly regarding the identity of the individual, his actual position within the movement and whether investigators have examined the claims.
11 SUSPECTS ALREADY ARRESTED BY EKITI POLICE
The latest development comes after the Ekiti State Police Command announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the reported attack on Sowore and other members of his team at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30.
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.
Items reportedly recovered during the operation included 13 mobile phones, two walkie-talkies, seven ATM cards, two vehicle keys, a flash drive, a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, eight international passports and other items.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the arrested suspects, determine their possible connections with the incident and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
The arrests were confirmed in reports by The Punch and TheCable on October 31.
CCTV CONTROVERSY AND ALLEGED POLICE COVER-UP
The identification allegation also comes against the backdrop of Sowore’s earlier accusations concerning the handling of CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant.
The activist had alleged that surveillance equipment from the restaurant was taken away by police officers and DSS operatives and subsequently returned without the original recordings.
He further claimed that the restaurant’s management confirmed the return of the equipment but that the recordings had allegedly been wiped.
Sowore questioned the chain of custody of the surveillance equipment and demanded explanations from the Ekiti State Police Command.
He also accused security officials of failing to adequately address questions concerning the alleged electronic tracking of stolen phones linked to the incident.
These allegations have not been independently established.
The police initially described the incident as an altercation between Sowore and some individuals at a restaurant, insisting that officers responded to a distress call, rescued those involved and ensured that they received medical attention.
The command subsequently announced the arrest of 11 suspects and said investigations were continuing.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY BOYS MOVEMENT AND EKITI AUTHORITIES
The latest allegation has placed the City Boys Movement’s Ekiti State Chapter under public scrutiny, although no evidence presented in Sowore’s statement independently establishes that the organisation directed, financed or participated in the attack.
Several questions now require clarification:
- Who is the individual Sowore has identified as an alleged leader of the armed group?
- Is the individual officially affiliated with the City Boys Movement, Ekiti State Chapter?
- What is the individual’s relationship with Asefon Sunday Dayo?
- Has the Ekiti State Police Command identified or questioned the individual as part of its ongoing investigation?
- Have investigators examined Sowore’s allegation concerning the previous threat allegedly made by Asefon?
- What happened to the original CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant?
- Will the police investigate whether anyone outside the 11 arrested suspects organised, financed or coordinated the incident?
These questions require evidence-based answers rather than political speculation or premature conclusions.
TINUBU’S GOVERNMENT FACES QUESTIONS OVER POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS
The involvement of a presidential aide’s photograph in the latest allegation has also brought the matter closer to the Presidency.
However, the mere appearance of an individual alongside a presidential aide does not establish that the aide, the Presidency or the City Boys Movement had prior knowledge of or participated in the alleged attack.
Nevertheless, public office holders and political organisations have a responsibility to address credible allegations involving individuals associated with their structures.
Asefon’s position within the Tinubu administration and his reported leadership role in the City Boys Movement make clarification of the allegations a matter of legitimate public interest.
The Presidency, the City Boys Movement and the Ekiti State Police Command have important questions to address as the investigation progresses.
TARAKIRIVOICE POSITION: IDENTIFICATION MUST LEAD TO ACCOUNTABILITY
The October 30 incident should not be reduced to another political exchange between rival personalities.
Whether the attack resulted from a political confrontation, organised violence or another criminal dispute must be established through a transparent investigation.
The police must authenticate available video evidence, establish the identities of all individuals involved, investigate the alleged disappearance of CCTV recordings and determine whether anyone attempted to obstruct the investigation.
Equally, individuals named or associated with the allegations must be given an opportunity to respond, and nobody should be declared guilty without credible evidence and due process.
For a country struggling with political intolerance and insecurity, the protection of political activists, journalists, opposition figures and ordinary citizens must not depend on their political affiliations.
The central question is no longer simply who participated in the confrontation at Ado-Ekiti. Nigerians also deserve to know whether those who planned, coordinated or financed the violence, if any, will be identified and held accountable.
Tarakirivoice Newspaper will continue to monitor developments surrounding the investigation.
