“You Arrested The Foot Soldiers, Where Are The Big Men? — Sowore Challenges Police Over Attack In Ekiti”
By Passman Akpos
ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE — Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to go beyond the arrest of 11 suspects over the reported attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, demanding that those who allegedly planned, financed and coordinated the incident must also be identified and prosecuted.
Sowore’s demand followed an announcement by the Ekiti State Police Command on Saturday, October 31, 2026, confirming the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the incident at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), acting on credible intelligence, raided the suspects’ hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30.
The arrested 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.
POLICE RECOVER WALKIE-TALKIES, 13 PHONES, EIGHT INTERNATIONAL PASSPORTS
The police also disclosed that several items were recovered during the operation.
The recovered items reportedly include two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two Indian hemp crushers, one pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards, 13 mobile phones, two vehicle keys, one flash drive and a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device.
Other items include identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, one gas lighter and ₦250.
The police said the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the attack and identify other persons who may have participated.
Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, assured the public that everyone found culpable would be brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.
The command also confirmed that Sowore and the other victims had received medical attention, been treated and discharged from the hospital.
‘ARRESTING 11 SUSPECTS IS NOT ENOUGH’ — SOWORE DEMANDS MASTERMINDERS
Reacting to the arrests, Sowore described the development as a significant acknowledgment of the seriousness of the incident, insisting that the attack should not be dismissed as an ordinary altercation.
He accused the police of initially attempting to downplay the incident and maintained that he and members of his team were victims of a coordinated violent attack.
Sowore further alleged that the incident was an assassination attempt carried out by government-sponsored thugs, an allegation that has not been independently established.
He questioned why the police had announced the arrest of 11 suspects without publicly addressing the alleged involvement of individuals he claimed participated in coordinating the attack.
Among those he specifically mentioned was a person identified as Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, whom he alleged was involved in coordinating the operation from the Ekiti State Governor’s Office.
He also called for an investigation into the alleged role of the governor’s Chief Security Officer, CSP Ayodele Akinlua.
These allegations remain claims by Sowore and have not been established by an independent investigation.
CITY BOYS GROUP, EKITI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS UNDER SCRUTINY
The activist also alleged that some individuals connected with the incident were associated with the City Boys group.
He called on investigators to examine possible connections between the alleged attackers and officials of the Ekiti State Government.
Sowore insisted that the investigation must not stop with those already arrested but should establish whether other individuals provided financial support, intelligence, logistics or protection to those allegedly involved.
The Ekiti State Government has denied involvement in the incident, describing allegations linking it to the attack as unfounded and calling for a thorough investigation.
SOWORE DEMANDS RELEASE OF CCTV FOOTAGE
Another major issue raised by Sowore is the controversy surrounding CCTV recordings from the restaurant where the incident occurred.
He demanded that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and the DSS preserve and release the relevant surveillance footage to enable Nigerians to identify those involved.
According to him, the recordings could help establish the identities of the attackers, those who allegedly directed them and whether anyone provided information about his team’s movements.
Sowore argued that the footage could constitute crucial evidence in determining what actually happened at the restaurant.
He also demanded an explanation from the police over the difference between their initial description of the incident as an altercation and the subsequent announcement of 11 arrests.
POLICE UNDER PRESSURE AS QUESTIONS MOUNT
The latest development has intensified public scrutiny of the police investigation, particularly regarding the identities of those arrested, the evidence linking them to the incident and whether additional arrests will follow.
While the police have confirmed the arrests, they have not publicly established the individual culpability of the suspects or confirmed the allegations involving the persons named by Sowore.
The central questions now facing investigators include:
- What roles did the 11 arrested suspects allegedly play in the incident?
- Who organised or coordinated the reported attack?
- Were there individuals providing financial or logistical support?
- What does the CCTV footage reveal about the incident?
- Have investigators examined the allegations involving Sola Adenijo and CSP Ayodele Akinlua?
- Will the police investigate the alleged connections with the City Boys group?
- Will everyone implicated by credible evidence face prosecution, regardless of political connections?
For Sowore, the arrests represent only the beginning of what he considers a complete investigation.
He insists that arresting alleged foot soldiers without investigating those suspected of organising or financing the incident would leave critical questions unanswered.
The activist has therefore demanded an independent and transparent investigation, insisting that the CCTV recordings must be preserved and that everyone implicated by credible evidence should be arrested and prosecuted.
As the investigation continues, Nigerians will be watching to see whether the police can establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify everyone involved and address the allegations of political interference.
Tarakirivoice will continue to monitor developments surrounding the investigation.
Without Fear Nor Favour.
