The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of the state capital around 10pm on Friday, following a tip-off.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Saturday, saying several items were recovered from the suspects.
The arrested individuals 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 police, items recovered during the operation include two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two Indian hemp crushers, a pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards and 13 mobile phones.
Other items listed were two vehicle keys, a flash drive, an MTN 5G Wi-Fi device, identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and ₦250.
The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the suspects and establish whether they had any connection with the attack.
The Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, assured residents that the command would ensure that all those found responsible were brought to justice.
He said the police “will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all those found culpable are brought to justice.”
Reacting to the arrests, Sowore called on the police to extend their investigation to those who allegedly planned, financed and coordinated the attack.
In a post on X on Saturday, the AAC presidential aspirant described the incident as a coordinated assault rather than an ordinary disagreement.
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He argued that the arrest of 11 suspects would not be sufficient if those who allegedly sponsored or facilitated the attack were not also identified and apprehended.
“Arresting 11 suspects is not enough if those who planned, financed, coordinated and facilitated the attack remain untouched,” he wrote.
Sowore also alleged that some of the attackers were associated with the City Boys group and called for investigations into possible links between the incident and officials of the Ekiti State Government.
He further urged the Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to preserve and release CCTV footage from the scene to help identify all those involved.
The activist also demanded an explanation from the police over their initial description of the incident as an altercation.