Who Stole Sowore’s Phone? Tracking Data Points To Governor’s Lodge As Activist Demands CCTV Footage!
By Passman Akpos
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has raised fresh questions over Friday’s alleged attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, following the reported discovery that one of the stolen mobile phones has been traced to the vicinity of the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge.
Sowore made the disclosure on Sunday, November 1, 2026, alleging that two mobile devices stolen from members of his team during the October 30 incident had been tracked to locations within the state capital.
According to the activist, one of the phones was traced to a location directly opposite the office of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, while another device was reportedly located around Fajuyi Park.
The development has introduced another dimension to the controversy surrounding the incident, particularly as questions continue to emerge over the identities of the attackers, the circumstances surrounding the violence and the handling of evidence from the scene.
In his statement, Sowore called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately release the CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the confrontation occurred.
He insisted that the surveillance footage could provide important evidence capable of establishing what happened and identifying those involved.
SOWORE DEMANDS ANSWERS
Expressing concern over the reported tracking locations, Sowore questioned why the CCTV footage from the restaurant had not been made public.
He maintained that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability over the incident, insisting that evidence capable of clarifying the circumstances should not be withheld.
The activist’s demand comes amid growing controversy over the police account of the incident.
POLICE AND SOWORE GIVE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS
The incident occurred on Friday, October 30, at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
While Sowore described the incident as a brutal attack by armed men, the Ekiti State Police Command initially characterised it as an altercation between the activist’s team and some individuals at the restaurant.
The police said officers responded to a distress call, rescued Sowore and took him to the Police Cottage Hospital, where he received medical attention.
The command also confirmed that Sowore sustained injuries before being discharged.
However, Sowore rejected the police description, maintaining that he and members of his team were violently attacked.
11 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
In a related development, the Ekiti State Police Command announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the incident.
According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10 p.m. on Friday.
Items reportedly recovered during the operation included 13 mobile phones, two walkie-talkies, seven ATM cards, eight international passports, vehicle keys and other exhibits.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and identify other persons who might have been involved.
QUESTIONS AUTHORITIES MUST ANSWER
The latest development has heightened public interest in the investigation, particularly regarding the reported location of the stolen devices.
Authorities are expected to establish who possessed the stolen phones, whether the tracking information can be independently verified, and whether the locations identified have any connection to the suspects already arrested.
There are also questions about the CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant, including who currently has custody of the footage and whether it has been preserved for forensic examination.
As of the time of filing this report, no independently verified evidence has established that the reported tracking location implicates the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, or any official of the state government.
Nevertheless, the allegations have placed renewed attention on the need for a transparent, credible and independent investigation.
For Sowore, the demand remains straightforward: Nigerians must be allowed to see the evidence and know what happened in Ado-Ekiti.
The coming days could prove significant in determining whether the investigation will answer the growing questions surrounding the incident.
