The controversy surrounding the violent attack on human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his entourage in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has taken another dramatic turn following allegations that a mobile phone stolen during the incident has been traced to the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge.
Sowore disclosed that one of the mobile phones belonging to a member of his team, which was reportedly stolen during Friday’s attack, has now been tracked to the Governor’s Lodge in Ekiti State.
The revelation has raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the October 30, 2026, incident and intensified demands for transparency, accountability and an independent investigation into the attack.
In a strongly worded statement published on Sunday, November 1, Sowore called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately make available the closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, where the attack reportedly occurred.
He maintained that the surveillance footage could provide crucial evidence capable of identifying the attackers and establishing what transpired at the scene.
The activist wrote:
"One of the phones stolen from a member of our team during Friday’s brutal attack in Ado-Ekiti has now been traced to the Governor’s Lodge in Ekiti State.
"The @PoliceNG and @OfficialDSSNG must immediately release the CCTV footage from Tawakalitu Restaurant to the public.
"You cannot bury the evidence."
HOW THE CONTROVERSY STARTED
The latest development follows Friday’s reported attack on Sowore and members of his entourage shortly after the activist participated in a radio interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti.
According to accounts from Sowore’s camp, the group had stopped at Tawakalitu Restaurant for a meal when armed men allegedly stormed the premises and attacked them.
Sowore subsequently accused individuals allegedly connected to the Ekiti State Government House and security operatives of facilitating the assault. He described the incident as a coordinated attack, while demanding that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.
The allegations have been strongly disputed by the circumstances surrounding the official police account, which described the incident as an altercation and characterised the injuries as minor.
POLICE ARREST 11 SUSPECTS
In its response, the Ekiti State Police Command announced the arrest of 11 suspects allegedly connected to the incident.
According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30.
The command also disclosed that items, including 13 mobile phones and walkie-talkies, were recovered during the operation.
However, the arrests have not ended the controversy, particularly over the alleged theft of personal belongings and the whereabouts of the CCTV recordings.
THE CCTV QUESTION AND DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
The demand for the release of the restaurant's surveillance footage has become central to the growing dispute.
Sowore's camp has alleged that security agencies took possession of the CCTV equipment or recordings from the restaurant, raising concerns about the preservation and independent examination of potentially important evidence.
The latest phone-tracking allegation makes the situation even more serious and calls for a transparent explanation from the relevant authorities.
If the reported tracking information can be independently verified, investigators should establish how the stolen device arrived at its reported location, who had possession of it and whether anyone connected to the incident was involved in its movement.
It is important to stress that the alleged location of the phone does not, by itself, establish the involvement of the Ekiti State Government or any government official in the attack. That question must be resolved through credible forensic evidence and an impartial investigation.
Nevertheless, Nigerians deserve answers.
The police and DSS must account for the CCTV evidence, explain the progress of their investigation and demonstrate that no individual, regardless of political influence or official position, is above the law.
A violent attack on a political activist and members of his entourage cannot simply disappear into another cycle of unanswered allegations.
The question now is straightforward: If the stolen phone has indeed been traced to the Governor’s Lodge, what steps are the authorities taking to recover it, establish how it got there and identify everyone responsible?
The evidence must speak. Nigerians deserve the truth.
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