The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, sustained injuries during an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in Ado Ekiti.
The police said the activist and former presidential candidate was rescued by operatives following an alert about the incident and taken to the Police Hospital in Ado Ekiti, where he is receiving medical attention.
The development followed a social media post on Sowore’s X account alleging that armed thugs had attacked and kidnapped him, leaving his whereabouts unknown.
The post also accused the Department of State Services of allegedly providing the attackers with information about the group’s location.
“We have been brutally attacked and injured by armed government-sponsored thugs in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State,” the message stated.
However, the police dismissed the kidnapping claim, explaining that preliminary information indicated that Sowore had an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant before officers intervened.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
According to Abutu, police operatives received information about the confrontation and immediately mobilised to the restaurant, where they rescued the AAC chieftain.
He said Sowore sustained a minor injury during the incident and was subsequently taken to the Police Hospital for treatment.
“The command wishes to categorically clarify that Mr Sowore was not kidnapped. Rather, preliminary information indicates that he had an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in Ado Ekiti, following which the police were immediately alerted,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The investigation, he said, would identify all individuals involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
The command also urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading reports of an alleged kidnapping and avoid circulating unverified information capable of creating panic.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property irrespective of political affiliation, status or background.
The police statement did not identify the individuals involved in the altercation or provide further details about what triggered the confrontation.
It also did not address the allegation that the DSS supplied the attackers with Sowore’s location.
The incident comes amid the political activities of Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate who has remained vocal on governance, accountability and human rights issues in Nigeria.
