Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Ekiti State Government and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of allegedly facilitating an attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
The activist raised the alarm on Friday, October 30, 2026, following an incident that occurred shortly after he granted an interview at Midas FM 90.5 in the Ekiti State capital.
In a series of posts on his social media accounts, Sowore alleged that armed men attacked him and his supporters, leaving several members of his entourage injured.
He shared photographs showing himself and some of his associates receiving medical attention in a hospital, with visible injuries on their bodies.
Sowore alleged that the attackers were linked to the Ekiti State Government House and accused DSS operatives of providing them with his team’s location and operational support.
In one of his posts on X, he wrote: “We have been brutally attacked and injured by well-armed government-sponsored thugs in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.”
He further alleged that DSS operatives had been trailing and harassing his team since their arrival in the state on Thursday.
According to him, the security operatives allegedly threatened the manager of an establishment where his team had earlier eaten, warning him against allowing them to use the premises again.
Sowore also claimed that the attackers emerged from the Government House shortly after he concluded his radio interview.
He subsequently raised concerns about his whereabouts, prompting reports and speculation on social media that he had been abducted.
Police Confirm Incident, Deny Kidnap Reports
However, the Ekiti State Police Command dismissed reports that Sowore had been kidnapped, confirming that he sustained injuries during an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
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In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said operatives were immediately mobilised after receiving a distress report and successfully rescued the AAC presidential candidate.
According to the police, Sowore sustained a minor injury and was receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
The command maintained that the activist was not kidnapped and urged members of the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, was also said to have ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
The police further appealed to residents and social media users to avoid circulating unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic and tension.
Sowore Rejects Police Account
Sowore, however, rejected the police description of the incident as an altercation, accusing the command of downplaying the severity of the violence.
In a subsequent post on X, he insisted that he and his associates were victims of a coordinated attack rather than participants in a disagreement.
“There was no altercation! We were attacked!” he declared.
He also alleged that the Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene and witnessed the injuries sustained by members of his team but that the command later described the injuries as minor.
Sowore reportedly shared a video showing the commissioner leaving what appeared to be a hospital emergency room after visiting the injured persons.
He further expressed displeasure over allegations of the commissioner’s involvement in the incident.
The DSS has not yet issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations concerning its alleged involvement in the attack.
RULAAC Demands Urgent Action from IGP
Meanwhile, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately mobilise security agencies to establish Sowore’s whereabouts and ensure his safety.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organisation said the concerns surrounding the activist’s safety required an urgent and credible response from the police.
RULAAC urged the authorities to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and deploy the necessary personnel and resources to protect his life.
The organisation outlined five key demands to the IGP, including immediately establishing Sowore’s location and taking all necessary lawful measures to secure his safety.
It also urged the police to ensure that any rescue operation prioritised the preservation of his life and the safety of everyone involved.
Furthermore, RULAAC called on the authorities to provide verified information about his whereabouts to his family and legal representatives, while issuing public updates that would not compromise his safety.
The organisation added that if Sowore was in the custody of any security agency, the authorities should immediately disclose his whereabouts and legal status and guarantee him access to his lawyers, family members and medical care.
It also demanded an investigation into any unlawful conduct connected with the incident and called for accountability through due process.
According to Nwanguma, disagreements over Sowore’s political views or activism should not diminish the responsibility of the authorities to protect his life, dignity and liberty.
“Political opinion must never determine whose distress receives an urgent response from the authorities,” he said.
Sowore Was in Ekiti for Political Activities and Marathon
Further reports indicate that Sowore was in Ekiti State for political engagements with members and leaders of his party, as well as to participate in the 2026 Ikogosi Marathon scheduled for Saturday, October 31.
The 17.5-kilometre marathon is expected to begin at Ilawe-Ekiti Roundabout and end at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort.
According to reports, the event attracted thousands of registered participants, including runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
The incident has generated concerns about the safety of political actors and the responsibility of security agencies to protect citizens, particularly during political engagements.
While the police have confirmed Sowore’s rescue and commenced an investigation, the conflicting accounts of the incident have raised questions that authorities are expected to address.