The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other persons at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of the state capital at about 10pm on Friday, October 30, following a tip-off.
The police disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday.
The suspects were identified as Joseph Tayo, 32; Olatunji Abayomi, 41; Isaac Amba, 22; Kehinde Ajigbana, 18; Tosin David, 18; Solomon Iyanu, 18; Ogunsola Ayomide, 21; Ojo Ayodeji, 22; Kayode Dada, 32; Segun Olatunji, 28; and Salami Emmanuel, 53.
Items recovered during the operation included two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two cannabis crushers, a pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards and 13 mobile phones.
Other recovered items were two vehicle keys, a flash drive, a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and ₦250.
The command said the suspects were in custody while investigations continued to establish their individual roles, determine their possible links to the attack and identify other persons involved.
The Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, assured residents that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.
The police also confirmed that Sowore and the other victims had received medical attention, recovered from their injuries and been discharged from hospital.
The arrests follow a disagreement between Sowore and the police over the circumstances surrounding the incident at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
While the police initially described the incident as an altercation involving Sowore and some individuals, the activist rejected the account, insisting that he and members of his entourage were attacked by armed men.
Sowore also alleged that the attackers beat him and threatened to kill him, while the African Action Congress called for an investigation into the incident.
The latest arrests come as the police continue their investigation into the attack.