A Nigerian human rights advocate, Tope Temokun, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to take charge of the investigation into the reported attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
In an open letter dated October 31, 2026, Temokun called for an independent investigation, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the incident and the conflicting accounts from Sowore and the Ekiti State Police Command make it important for investigators outside the state to handle the matter.
The appeal follows an incident on Friday, October 30, when Sowore and members of his entourage were reportedly attacked at a restaurant in the Ekiti State capital. The activist sustained injuries and received medical attention at a police hospital.
Temokun said the allegations raised by Sowore, including claims of links between the attackers, the Ekiti State Government House and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), require a thorough examination.
Advocate questions Ekiti Police Command’s handling of incident
In his letter to the IGP, Temokun expressed concern about allowing the Ekiti State Police Command to conduct the investigation without independent oversight.
He questioned the command’s initial description of the incident as an altercation, particularly because Sowore had maintained that he and his associates were violently attacked by armed men.
The advocate also referred to Sowore’s claim that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, personally visited the victims and saw their injuries before the command described them as minor.
According to Temokun, the difference between the accounts raises questions about whether the state command can conduct an inquiry that will command public confidence.
He therefore asked the Inspector-General to transfer responsibility for the investigation to a team drawn from outside Ekiti State, with the investigators reporting directly to the Force Headquarters.
He also argued that Sowore’s failure to notify the police about his visit to the state should not be used to excuse violence or distract from the responsibility to investigate the incident.
Sowore alleges involvement of Government House and DSS operatives
The controversy intensified after Sowore accused individuals allegedly connected to the Ekiti State Government House of carrying out the attack.
The AAC presidential candidate also alleged that DSS operatives provided the attackers with information about his team’s location, making it possible for them to track down the group.
Sowore claimed that security operatives had been following and harassing members of his entourage since their arrival in Ekiti State.
He further questioned the police command’s description of the incident, insisting that what happened was an organised attack rather than a disagreement at a restaurant.
These claims have not been independently established. The DSS had not publicly responded to the specific allegations in the reports reviewed, while the Ekiti State Police Command said it had begun investigating the incident.
IGP urged to establish identities of attackers and possible sponsors
Temokun outlined several areas he wants the proposed independent investigative team to examine.
Among his requests is the identification of everyone involved in the attack, including individuals who may have sponsored, organised or facilitated the incident.
He also wants investigators to establish whether any of the suspects had connections with the Ekiti State Government House and examine the allegation that DSS operatives provided tracking or operational assistance.
The advocate further called for a review of how the Ekiti State Police Command responded to the incident and the accuracy of its public statements.
Other measures proposed in the letter include:
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Securing medical records and available video footage connected to the incident.
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Collecting statements from victims and witnesses.
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Protecting those who may provide evidence.
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Investigating any possible misconduct by security personnel.
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Making the findings of the investigation available to the public.
Temokun said the investigation should be transparent and free from political influence, stressing that those responsible must be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.
Police say Sowore was rescued and later discharged
The Ekiti State Police Command has maintained that its officers responded after receiving information about the incident and rescued Sowore and other affected persons.
In a statement issued on October 30, the command said preliminary information indicated that the AAC candidate had been involved in an altercation with unidentified individuals at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
The police rejected reports that Sowore had been kidnapped, explaining that he was taken to the Police Cottage Hospital for medical attention.
A subsequent police update confirmed that Sowore and the other victims had been treated and discharged. The command said he left the hospital at approximately 4:30pm.
The police also disclosed that efforts to obtain a formal statement from Sowore had been unsuccessful, claiming that he declined several requests to provide his account of the incident.
Commissioner Falade Adegoroye Michael ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation to establish what happened and identify anyone found responsible.
The command additionally stated that Sowore had not formally notified it of his arrival in Ekiti or provided details of his movements, which it said could have helped officers make security arrangements.
Calls grow for an independent investigation
The incident has attracted reactions from human rights organisations and civil society groups, with concerns centred on the safety of political figures and the responsibility of security agencies to protect citizens.
Amnesty International called for an investigation after the initial reports of the attack and concerns about Sowore’s whereabouts emerged.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre also urged the authorities to establish his location, ensure his safety and investigate any unlawful conduct connected to the incident.
Other groups have called for restraint while investigators establish the facts, cautioning against treating unverified allegations as proven conclusions.
Investigation expected to address unanswered questions
Temokun’s appeal places additional pressure on the Inspector-General of Police to determine whether the investigation should be transferred from the Ekiti State Command to an independent team.
Several questions remain unresolved, including the identities and motives of the individuals involved, the circumstances that led to the confrontation and whether any government or security officials had a role.
The allegations against the Ekiti State Government House and the DSS remain claims that require independent verification. Equally, the police account that the incident began as an altercation has not resolved the questions raised by Sowore and his supporters.
For the human rights advocate, an investigation led directly by the Force Headquarters would help address concerns about impartiality and reassure the public that the incident is being handled properly.
The next steps by the police leadership and the findings of any independent inquiry are likely to determine whether the competing accounts can be reconciled and whether anyone will face prosecution.
