By Ade Oyeyemi
Armed men have reportedly abducted the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, after attacking a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The incident occurred on Friday at Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services, where eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the facility and forcibly whisked the activist away to an undisclosed location.
Some witnesses reportedly identified the assailants as political thugs allegedly affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress. However, the claim had yet to be independently verified.
Videos recorded at the scene showed the aftermath of the attack, with several tables and chairs damaged and sections of the restaurant vandalised. A vehicle parked outside the premises was also damaged, while another reportedly had a flat tyre.
News of the alleged abduction was shared through posts on Sowore’s verified Facebook and X accounts, which indicated that his whereabouts were unknown.
“Armed thugs kidnap Sowore. His current location is unknown!” one of the posts read.
Sowore, a journalist and human rights activist, is known for his criticism of successive Nigerian governments. He is seeking the presidency on the AAC platform in the 2027 general election.
His trip to Ekiti was reportedly connected to his campaign activities. At Thursday’s proceedings in the Federal High Court in Abuja, his defence lawyer informed the court that Sowore was in the state for campaign-related engagements.
The court subsequently adjourned his ongoing cyberbullying trial until November 3, 2026. As of the time of filing this report, his whereabouts remained unknown.
