Armed Men Kidnap AAC Presidential Candidate In Ekiti

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly been abducted by armed men in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, with his whereabouts currently unknown. Eyewitnesses said that the incident occurred on Friday at Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services, where the armed men reportedly stormed the premises and forcibly took Sowore away. The eyewitnesses identified the attackers as political thugs allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The footage from the scene shows several tables and chairs damaged, while parts of the establishment appear to have been vandalised. A vehicle outside the restaurant was also damaged, while another had a flat tyre. The reported abduction was subsequently announced in posts on Sowore’s verified Facebook and X accounts. “Armed thugs kidnap Sowore. His current location is unknown!” Sowore is a prominent human rights activist, journalist and politician who has consistently criticised successive Nigerian governments. He is the presidential candidate of the AAC. His presence in Ekiti State was connected to activities surrounding his presidential campaign. On Thursday, October 29, his defence counsel informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was in Ekiti for campaign-related activities. The court subsequently adjourned his ongoing cyberbullying trial until November 3, 2026. As of the time of filing this report, his whereabouts remained unknown.