The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with the attack on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and other individuals at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The suspects were reportedly apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10pm on Friday, October 30, following intelligence received by the police.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abutu Sunday.

According to the police, the arrests were linked to the alleged assault on Sowore and other persons at Tawakalitu Restaurant, located in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.

The statement explained that officers acted on credible information before raiding the suspects’ hideouts and taking them into custody.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon while Sowore was at the restaurant following a radio interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 as part of his engagements in Ekiti State.

The AAC presidential candidate had accused individuals he described as government-sponsored thugs of attacking him and members of his team. He also alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) provided the attackers with information about their location.

However, the police disputed claims that Sowore was kidnapped, maintaining that officers responded to a distress call, rescued those involved and ensured they received medical attention.

Sowore subsequently rejected the police description of the incident as an altercation, insisting that he and his associates were subjected to a violent attack.

The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the arrested suspects and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.