CITIZENS COMPASS— The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Swore, on Monday, released the footage of his suspected attackers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Sowore, the publisher of popular online medium, Sahara Reporters, called for an independent investigation into the October 30 attack on him and members of his campaign team following allegations that Closed -Circuit Television (CCTV) recordings from the scene were erased.
Sowore said newly recovered video footage had provided leads in identifying some of the individuals suspected of participating in the attack at Tawakalitu Restaurant, where he and his team were assaulted during their visit to the state for the Ikogosi Marathon.
In a statement dated November 2, 2026, the former presidential candidate alleged that police officers removed the restaurant’s surveillance equipment after the incident, raising concerns about the handling of potential evidence.
He said the restaurant management later confirmed that a Divisional Police Officer had returned the CCTV equipment, but the recordings had been erased. The management reportedly declined to disclose the identity of the officer who returned it.
Sowore also questioned the progress of the police investigation, claiming that he contacted the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer of Ado-Ekiti Central Police Station, Mustapha Mohammed, and the Rapid Response Squad commander on November 1 to obtain updates.
According to him, the officers said there was “no complainant” because he had not submitted a written statement.
He described the position as questionable, arguing that the police had already been involved in rescuing those attacked, taking them to hospital, arresting suspects and recovering weapons, stolen phones and other devices.
The AAC candidate further alleged that the officers denied knowledge of stolen phones reportedly traced electronically to the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge.
He also claimed that conversations with the officers ended abruptly when he sought explanations about the missing phones and the CCTV equipment.
The allegations have raised concerns about the preservation of evidence in the investigation, although claims of evidence tampering and police obstruction have not been independently established.
Sowore wants the Ekiti State Government and police authorities to establish an independent investigative team to examine both the attack and the alleged destruction of surveillance recordings.
He also called for a forensic examination of the recovered CCTV equipment to determine what happened to the recordings and identify those who handled the device.
The politician urged authorities to investigate the newly recovered video footage, identify anyone suspected of involvement and ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice.
“The perpetrators must not be allowed to escape accountability through the destruction of evidence or manipulation of police investigations,” the statement said.
The October 30 incident occurred while Sowore and members of his entourage were in Ekiti State to participate in the Ikogosi Marathon.
