POLICE SAY SOWORE NOT KIDNAPPED, RECEIVING TREATMENT AFTER EKITI RESTAURANT ALTERCATION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Ekiti State Police Command has dismissed reports that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, was kidnapped by armed thugs in Ado-Ekiti, saying he sustained a minor injury during an altercation at a restaurant.

The command said Sowore was rescued by police operatives and taken to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, where he is currently receiving treatment.

The clarification followed a message posted on the activist’s X handle alleging that he had been attacked and kidnapped by armed individuals, with his whereabouts unknown.

The post also accused the Department of State Services of providing the attackers with his location.

“We have been brutally attacked and injured by armed government-sponsored thugs in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

“The @officialDSSNG provided the attackers with our exact location, enabling them to carry out this vicious assault. We won’t back down. We have a country to liberate,” the post read.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the command received information on Friday that Sowore was having an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.

According to him, police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene and rescued the AAC presidential candidate.

In a statement issued on Friday, Abutu said Sowore was subsequently taken to the Police Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for a minor injury.

“The attention of the Ekiti State Police Command has been drawn to a message circulating on social media alleging that Mr Omoyele Sowore was kidnapped by armed thugs in Ado-Ekiti, with his whereabouts unknown.

“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.

“Upon receiving the report, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued him. He, however, sustained a minor injury and is currently receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital, Ado-Ekiti,” he said.

Abutu added that the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm, disregard reports of an alleged kidnapping and refrain from circulating unverified information capable of causing panic and tension.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, irrespective of political affiliation, status or background.