Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and men allegedly linked to the Ekiti State Government House of attacking him and members of his team at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday, October 30, 2026.
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The allegation followed earlier reports that armed men had abducted the activist from Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services, triggering concerns about his safety and whereabouts.
However, the police have confirmed that an altercation occurred at the restaurant but denied that Sowore was kidnapped, stating that officers intervened and rescued him from the scene.
According to the police, the activist sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Sowore alleged that the attack occurred after he participated in a radio interview in Ado-Ekiti as part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He accused SSS operatives and individuals allegedly connected to the Ekiti State Government House of involvement in the confrontation.
The allegations against the security operatives and the individuals said to be linked to the Government House have not been independently established.
Earlier on Friday, reports emerged that armed men had stormed Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services, where Sowore and members of his team were present.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the attackers entered the premises, damaged property and forcibly took the activist away.
Photographs and footage circulated after the incident showed damaged tables and chairs inside the restaurant, while vehicles outside the premises also appeared to have sustained damage.
One vehicle was visibly damaged, while another had a flat tyre.
The incident prompted an announcement on Sowore’s verified social media accounts, raising an alarm over his whereabouts.
“Armed thugs kidnap Sowore. His current location is unknown!” one of the posts read.
The announcement led to widespread concern about the activist’s safety, particularly because the identities of the alleged attackers and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were unclear at the time.
Some eyewitnesses initially accused political thugs allegedly associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of involvement in the incident.
However, no independent evidence establishing the party’s involvement was provided in the initial accounts.
The police subsequently disputed the kidnapping narrative, confirming that a clash had occurred but maintaining that Sowore was rescued by officers who intervened.
The police account therefore differs from the initial claims that the activist had been abducted and taken to an unknown location.
The confirmation that Sowore sustained minor injuries also established that he was physically affected by the confrontation, although the circumstances in which the injuries occurred remain disputed.
The incident came barely 24 hours after Sowore’s defence counsel informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the activist was in Ekiti State for campaign-related activities.
During proceedings on Thursday, October 29, 2026, his lawyer explained his absence from court, where he is facing an ongoing cyberbullying case.
Following the explanation, the court adjourned the matter until November 3, 2026.
Sowore, a journalist, politician and human rights campaigner, has been a vocal critic of successive Nigerian governments and has frequently participated in protests and campaigns demanding accountability, democratic reforms and respect for fundamental rights.
His political activities have also brought him into repeated confrontations with security agencies.
The latest incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the confrontation at the restaurant and the identities of those involved.
While Sowore has directly accused SSS operatives and men allegedly connected to the Ekiti State Government House, the police have maintained that the incident was a clash rather than a kidnapping.
The conflicting accounts leave questions about who initiated the confrontation, the reason for the attack and the extent of the involvement of security personnel or other individuals.
The police confirmation that officers rescued Sowore also contradicts the earlier suggestion that his whereabouts remained unknown.
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