The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other persons at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.
Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad reportedly arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of the state capital at about 10pm on Friday, October 30, following a tip-off.
The arrests came hours after Sowore and members of his entourage were attacked at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, an incident that has generated conflicting accounts from the politician and the police.
Police spokesman, SP Abutu Sunday, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Saturday.
Those arrested 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.
According to the command, operatives recovered two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two Indian hemp crushers and a pack of Rizla from the suspects.
Other items recovered included seven ATM cards, 13 mobile phones, two vehicle keys, a flash drive, a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, identity cards and eight international passports.
Police also listed three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and N250 among the recovered items.
The command said the suspects remained in custody while investigators worked to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the incident and identify other persons who may have been involved.
The arrests followed an earlier disagreement between Sowore and the police over what happened at the restaurant.
Police initially said Sowore had an altercation with some individuals at the restaurant after which officers were alerted and intervened.
The command denied that he had been kidnapped and said he sustained injuries during the incident before being taken to hospital.
Sowore, however, rejected the police account, insisting that there was no altercation but a coordinated attack on him and members of his entourage.
The AAC candidate alleged that armed men attacked him after a radio interview in Ado-Ekiti and accused individuals allegedly linked to the Ekiti State Government House and State Security Service of involvement.
Earlier reports had also said armed men stormed Tawakalitu Restaurant, damaged furniture and vehicles and forcibly took Sowore away.
His verified social media accounts subsequently raised an alarm over his whereabouts, as police later said officers had rescued him rather than that he had been kidnapped.
Sowore has publicly challenged the police’s description of the incident, while the command has maintained that its investigation will establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, assured residents that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, stressing that the command would leave no stone unturned in investigating the incident.
The police also confirmed that Sowore and the other victims had received medical treatment and were subsequently discharged from hospital.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Ekiti State irrespective of political affiliation, while urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the investigation.
