Ado-Ekiti — African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore on Sunday released fresh video footage that he said clearly shows the faces of individuals involved in the October 30, 2026, armed attack on him and members of his team at Tawakalitu Restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
In a post on his X account, Sowore described the development as a “major breakthrough” amid allegations that CCTV recordings from the restaurant had been completely erased after police officers and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) took possession of the equipment.
“Fresh video evidence has emerged showing the faces of individuals identified as participants in the October 30, 2026, armed attack on leaders and me, as well as members of the African Action Congress (AAC) and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti,” Sowore wrote. He shared the short clip, which depicts a chaotic street scene involving physical confrontations near the restaurant area.
Sowore said the original CCTV equipment from Tawakalitu Restaurant was taken to the Ekiti State Government House and returned later without any images. Restaurant management reportedly confirmed that a Divisional Police Officer returned the equipment with the recordings wiped, but declined to name the officer involved.
The AAC candidate stated that he contacted Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Michael Falade, the Divisional Police Officer of Ado-Ekiti Central Police Station, Mustapha Mohammed, and the state’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander for updates on the investigation. According to Sowore, the officers claimed there was “no complainant” because he had not submitted a written statement—despite police having rescued the victims, taken them to hospital, arrested suspects, and recovered weapons, stolen phones and other items.
He further questioned the officers about phones stolen during the attack that had been electronically traced to the Governor’s Lodge. Sowore said the officers denied knowledge of the matter and ended the conversations.
“This is an indication of a coordinated cover-up by the @PoliceNG hierarchy in Ekiti State,” he alleged. He called for a credible independent investigation into the identities and roles of those shown in the new video and demanded the removal of the Commissioner of Police and other officers he accused of involvement in the cover-up.
The attack occurred on Friday, October 30, shortly after Sowore completed a radio interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti. He and his team had stopped for a meal at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area when a group of men, estimated by witnesses at between 12 and 20, stormed the premises. The assailants allegedly scattered food, disrupted the gathering, and launched a physical assault using sticks, bottles and other objects. Sowore sustained injuries to his face, left leg and hand and received treatment at a police hospital. Several members of his security team were also injured and reportedly disarmed.
Police later announced the arrest of 11 suspects in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti. Items recovered included walkie-talkies, mobile phones, suspected hard drugs, charms and other materials. Sowore has maintained that the arrests did not go far enough, insisting that alleged masterminds and coordinators remain free. He has previously named individuals including Adenijo Sola (also known as Solar) and others he linked to the assault, and accused elements connected to the state government and security agencies of providing support or protection.
The Ekiti State Police Command had earlier described the incident as an “altercation” and stated that Sowore was not kidnapped. Authorities have not yet issued a detailed public response to Sowore’s latest claims about the erased CCTV footage or the newly released video.
Sowore, who is running for president on the AAC platform under the #RevolutionNow banner, vowed that the attack would not deter his political activities. He urged independent investigators to examine the new video evidence and hold those responsible to account.
The incident has drawn attention from rights groups and political observers ahead of the 2027 general elections, with calls for a transparent probe into the circumstances of the assault and the handling of evidence.
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