The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects including a 53-year-old man over the alleged attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and others 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 Ado-Ekiti at about 10pm on Friday following a tip-off.
The police in a statement by the Command Spokesman SP Abutu Sunday said that the arrest was in connection with the attack on Sowore and other persons at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the state capital.
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 from them included two walkie-talkies substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado two Indian hemp crushers a pack of Rizla seven ATM cards and 13 mobile phones.
Other items recovered 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 N250.
The police said that the suspects were in custody adding that investigations were ongoing to establish their individual roles in the alleged attack determine their possible connections with the incident and identify other persons involved.
The Commissioner of Police Falade Adegoroye Michael assured residents that the command would ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
He said that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace across the state irrespective of political affiliations.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
He also disclosed that all victims of the attack including Sowore had received medical attention been treated and discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile the Ekiti State government has distanced itself from the alleged attack on Sowore.
The government also called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation identify those responsible for the attack and ensure that they are brought to justice.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Olayinka Oyebode stated this in a statement issued yesterday following allegations by Sowore linking the state government to his reported ordeal.
The statement said the government would ordinarily have ignored the allegations which it described as part of what it considered a pattern of unfounded claims and media attacks against the state administration over the past four years.
It however said the government decided to respond to set the records straight and prevent members of the public from being misled.
It noted that the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon and the Ekiti State Police Command had issued official statements on the incident.
It added that the circumstances surrounding Sowore’s visit and the reported altercation raised questions about the motive behind his actions while leaving the determination of the facts to the appropriate authorities.
The government said that it was absurd to suggest that Ekiti which it described as a peaceful state would engage in the harassment of a presidential aspirant.
It reiterated the administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state stressing that it would not condone actions capable of undermining democratic principles and the rule of law.
It also assured residents and visitors of their right to safety and protection irrespective of their political affiliations or opinions.
The government said it remained committed to upholding the rights of all residents and visitors while sustaining Ekiti’s reputation for peace tolerance and respect for democratic values.