BREAKING: Armed Thugs Reportedly Kidnap Sowore, Whereabouts Unknown

Fresh concerns have emerged over the safety of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, following reports that armed political thugs attacked him and his associates inside a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, before allegedly abducting the activist.

Sowore reportedly raised the alarm in two separate updates published on his official Facebook page on Friday, October 30, 2026, claiming that the attackers stormed the restaurant where he and his associates were staying.

In his initial post, the human rights activist disclosed that he and members of his entourage had come under attack inside the restaurant in the Ekiti State capital.

“Thugs just attacked us inside a restaurant in Ado Ekiti,” he wrote.

In a subsequent update, the AAC presidential candidate announced that armed thugs had kidnapped him, adding that his current whereabouts were unknown.

The second announcement heightened concerns about his safety, as no immediate information was available regarding where the attackers allegedly took him or the circumstances surrounding his reported abduction.

Sowore’s Ekiti Visit Linked to 2027 Presidential Campaign

The reported incident occurred during Sowore’s visit to Ekiti State for activities connected with his political ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His presence in the state was confirmed during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, October 29, when his defence lawyer, T.O. Etonyeaku, explained that the activist was absent because he had travelled to Ekiti for his presidential campaign engagements.

The court was hearing his ongoing cyberbullying case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over social media publications concerning President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until November 3, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses and continuation of the defence.

Police Yet to Confirm Attack, Abduction

Meanwhile, efforts by DAILY POST to obtain confirmation of the initial attack from the Ekiti State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time the newspaper filed its report.

There was also no immediate official statement from the police or other security agencies confirming the alleged abduction.

Details about the identities of the suspected attackers, their number, the weapons allegedly used and the vehicle through which Sowore might have been taken away were not immediately available.

It was equally unclear whether other members of his entourage were injured or abducted during the reported incident.

Incident Raises Political Security Concerns Ahead of 2027 Elections

The reported attack comes amid increasing political mobilisation and activities by political parties and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, publisher of SaharaReporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has remained a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and human rights advocacy space.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the safety of political candidates, campaign officials and supporters as political activities gather momentum across the country.

Security agencies have repeatedly warned political actors and their supporters against violence, intimidation and other unlawful conduct before, during and after elections.

However, the circumstances surrounding Sowore’s reported abduction remain unclear, with supporters awaiting further information about his safety and whereabouts.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no independent confirmation from the police establishing the alleged kidnapping.

BREAKING: Armed Thugs Reportedly Kidnap Sowore, Whereabouts Unknown

Terrorists Kill Police Inspector, 11 Others in Fresh Kebbi Attacks, Residents Flee Communities

Suspected Lakurawa and Mamudawa terrorists have killed a police inspector and 11 civilians in a series of attacks on communities in Kebbi State, forcing residents to flee their homes amid renewed fears over worsening insecurity in the North-West.

The attacks reportedly occurred between October 22 and 28 across communities in the Besse and Shanga riverine areas of the state, including Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the affected communities, killing residents, setting houses and motorcycles ablaze and looting shops and other property before retreating towards their hideouts.

According to reports, the attackers moved along the River Niger corridor from Kaoje towards Besse, spreading fear among residents of settlements along the route.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that 12 people, including a police inspector, were killed in the series of attacks.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, explained that the casualties were recorded in separate incidents and not during a single attack on one community.

Usman said suspected members of the Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorist group attacked communities along the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis on October 26 and 28.

He disclosed that five people were killed on October 26, while seven others, including a police inspector, lost their lives during subsequent attacks on October 28.

The police spokesperson also explained that the violence was preceded by an incident at Samanaji Market on October 22, where suspected local vigilantes, popularly known as Yan Sakai, allegedly attacked Fulani traders over rumours of cattle rustling and a planned attack.

Three Fulani traders reportedly died during the incident, while a police inspector sustained injuries.

The police said its tactical team, deployed by the Divisional Police Officer in Besse, intervened to prevent further violence.

However, the subsequent attacks and reprisal violence reportedly worsened the security situation, forcing residents of several communities to abandon their homes.

A resident, Aminu Usman, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the attacks as devastating, saying the gunmen burnt houses and property before withdrawing to their hideouts.

He said the coordinated nature of the attacks caught many villagers unaware, leaving several families homeless.

Another resident, Aliyu Tailor Besse, said the attackers moved from communities around Kaoje towards Besse, targeting settlements along the River Niger.

He explained that some residents had received warnings about the movement of armed men and fled before the attackers arrived, while others who remained behind suffered the consequences.

A resident also disclosed that some families lost several members during the attacks, while only a few people remained in some of the affected communities.

The situation reportedly forced many displaced residents to seek refuge in safer neighbouring communities.

Meanwhile, the police said additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected areas to prevent further attacks and restore normalcy.

Usman said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mohammed Hadejia, had ordered intensified security operations, including clearance, search-and-rescue and confidence-building operations.

The command also said investigations were ongoing and that security operatives were pursuing those responsible for the attacks.

The latest violence has renewed concerns about the activities of the Lakurawa and Mamudawa groups in Kebbi State, particularly in riverine communities where residents remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.

Residents have called on the Federal and Kebbi State governments to strengthen security operations, protect vulnerable communities and provide assistance to families displaced by the attacks.

Terrorists Kill Police Inspector, 11 Others in Fresh Kebbi Attacks, Residents Flee Communities

‘You Must Treat Me With Respect’ – Oshiomhole Blasts Rufai Oseni During Heated Live TV Interview

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has engaged in a heated exchange with Arise Television presenter, Rufai Oseni, during a live appearance on the station’s Morning Show.

The confrontation occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, when Oseni questioned the senator about political developments involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia.

Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), became visibly displeased with the presenter’s questioning style, accusing him of repeatedly interrupting his responses instead of allowing him to address the issues raised.

The senator insisted that Oseni had asked several questions and should give him sufficient time to respond before introducing further questions or challenging his explanations.

During the heated exchange, Oshiomhole warned the presenter against what he described as a practice of asking questions and answering them himself.

“I won’t allow you to continue with this tradition of speak to yourself and answer yourself. You asked three questions and I will reply them. And you have no right to interrupt when I am replying,” the senator said.

He further called on the presenter to observe what he described as international best practices in conducting television interviews.

“Let’s agree on international best practices. You must have the patience to listen to my answer. And you must treat me as a guest with respect,” Oshiomhole added.

The former Edo governor also challenged Oseni, declaring: “Rufai, I am very ready for you.”

The disagreement reportedly centred on questions concerning Wike’s political activities, Uzodimma’s position and the President’s foreign trip.

Oshiomhole subsequently defended the relationship between Tinubu and Wike, rejecting suggestions that the FCT minister was receiving preferential treatment within the President’s political circle.

The exchange comes amid increasing political discussions and controversies surrounding the Tinubu administration as political parties and prominent figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It also follows another heated encounter between Oseni and APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on the same programme on October 27, during which the two disagreed over the President’s campaign remarks in Kaduna and the country’s economic situation.

The latest confrontation has once again brought attention to the often-contentious relationship between political officeholders and television journalists during live interviews.

‘You Must Treat Me With Respect’ – Oshiomhole Blasts Rufai Oseni During Heated Live TV Interview