Sowore and members of his entourage sustained injuries when armed men attacked them at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti shortly after the activist appeared on MIDAS FM 90.5 on Friday.
The Take-It-Back Movement Global has petitioned the governments of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, alongside international law enforcement and human-rights institutions, over the attack on human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team in Ekiti State.
The organisation, in an international security alert dated October 31, 2026, described the October 30 incident in Ado-Ekiti as a possible case of politically motivated violence and demanded an independent investigation into allegations that individuals linked to the Ekiti State Government were involved.
The notice, signed by the movement’s Director-General, Arc. Dr. Chidi Cadet Nwanyanwu, was addressed to several institutions, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of State, the Canadian government, Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British High Commission in Nigeria, the United Nations human-rights office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
It was also sent to the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Human Rights Commission.
Sowore and members of his entourage sustained injuries when armed men attacked them at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti shortly after the activist appeared on MIDAS FM 90.5 on Friday.
The movement said accounts from the victims indicated that the attackers used dangerous weapons, damaged vehicles and stole personal belongings, with some victims requiring medical attention.
Describing the incident as more than an ordinary case of political intimidation, the organisation said, “This is no longer an ordinary matter of political intimidation. It is a matter of life, human rights and possible abuse of state security apparatus.”
It accused the Ekiti State Police Command of attempting to portray the incident as an ordinary disagreement or altercation, insisting that the allegations required a thorough criminal investigation.
Movement Alleges Attack Leader Has Government Appointment
The organisation said Sowore had publicly identified the alleged leader of the attackers as someone known to him who reportedly holds an appointment as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
It also said the Conscience Foundation had separately identified an individual known as Don Flexy as the alleged leader of the group.
The movement demanded that investigators establish the individual’s full identity and determine whether he holds any appointment, receives remuneration or enjoys protection from the Ekiti State Government.
It, however, acknowledged that the allegations required independent verification, adding that no individual should be presumed guilty without a proper investigation.
“We demand that investigators immediately establish the full legal identity of this individual, examine the allegation concerning his involvement, and determine whether he holds any appointment, receives remuneration or enjoys protection from the Ekiti State Government,” the statement said.
The group also raised concerns over Sowore’s account that members of his security detail did not retaliate during the attack because they reportedly recognised some security operatives accompanying the alleged leader as personnel attached to the Ekiti State Government House.
It said the allegation, if established, would raise serious questions about the involvement of government-linked security personnel in the incident.
The movement called for an independent investigation into the identities, deployment records, command structure and activities of all security operatives present during the attack.
It also demanded an investigation into Sowore’s allegation that DSS operatives had been monitoring his movements and that information about his location was made available to the attackers.
The organisation urged Governor Oyebanji and the leadership of the relevant security agencies to provide explanations concerning the allegations.
The Take-It-Back Movement also called on the FBI, the United States Department of Justice and the Department of State to examine the incident, noting that Sowore is a United States lawful permanent resident, commonly known as a Green Card holder.
It asked the American authorities to assess the reported attack, alleged involvement of government-linked individuals and continuing threats to the activist’s safety.
The organisation also requested that the FBI consider engaging Nigerian law-enforcement authorities through appropriate international liaison channels where jurisdiction and established procedures permit.
However, it clarified that Sowore’s permanent residency in the United States does not automatically confer American criminal jurisdiction over an assault committed in Nigeria.
“We are not suggesting that United States permanent residency automatically confers American criminal jurisdiction over an assault committed abroad,” the statement said.
“We are requesting a formal examination of every available legal and diplomatic mechanism for protection, evidence preservation and accountability.”
The movement said an attack on a political dissident should not be ignored because those accused of carrying it out were allegedly politically connected.
Group Seeks Intervention Of Canadian, British Governments
The organisation also formally notified the Canadian government, Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada, the RCMP and the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria.
It said its presence in Canada through the Take It Back Movement Canada provided an avenue for members to raise human-rights concerns over the incident.
The group asked the Canadian government to monitor the reported assault and threats against Sowore, seek briefings from Nigerian authorities through diplomatic channels and consider raising concerns about political violence and the independence of security institutions in its engagement with Nigeria.
It also called on Canada to assess whether credible evidence existed of threats, intimidation, surveillance or reprisals against members and supporters of the movement within Canadian jurisdiction.
Similarly, the organisation notified the United Kingdom government, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British High Commission in Nigeria, the Home Office and the National Crime Agency.
Through its UK branch, the movement urged the British government to seek clarification from Nigerian authorities over the alleged involvement of government-linked individuals and security personnel.
It also asked the UK to monitor the safety of Sowore, members of the movement and other human-rights defenders facing credible threats.
The organisation called for diplomatic engagement with Nigeria over political violence and the protection of political participants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It said the presence of its branches in Canada and the UK did not automatically establish criminal jurisdiction over the incident in Nigeria but provided channels for raising documented human-rights concerns and seeking diplomatic attention.
Group Condemns Exclusion Of Sowore From Ikogosi Marathon
The Take-It-Back Movement also condemned the decision of the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative to exclude Sowore from the October 31 race after he had registered to participate.
According to the organisation, the organisers acknowledged that Sowore had registered but maintained that he had not been issued a race bib or cleared to compete.
The movement questioned the organisers’ decision to exclude him following the attack, particularly after they reportedly cited security and alleged conduct considerations.
It demanded that the organisers, including Makinde Araoye, disclose the specific participation rules Sowore allegedly breached, the evidence relied upon and the process through which the exclusion decision was made.
“How does a participant who reports being attacked suddenly become the security concern, while the identities and actions of those accused of attacking him remain unresolved?” the organisation asked.
It also called on World Athletics and other relevant sporting authorities to review the circumstances surrounding the exclusion and determine whether principles of fairness, neutrality, athlete safety and non-discrimination had been upheld.
“Sports must never become another instrument for punishing political dissent,” it added.
Group Demands CCTV Footage, Independent Probe
The movement called for an immediate and independent criminal investigation into the attack, including the identification of all alleged attackers, organisers, financiers and accomplices.
It demanded the preservation and forensic examination of CCTV footage from the restaurant, adjoining premises and other relevant security installations.
It also called for the disclosure of the identities, assignment records and command authorisations of security operatives allegedly recognised as personnel attached to the Ekiti State Government House.
Other demands include an investigation into allegations that DSS operatives tracked Sowore’s movements or supplied information that may have facilitated the attack, recovery of stolen belongings and proper documentation of the victims’ medical reports, injuries and witness statements.
The organisation further demanded an independent review of the conduct of the Ekiti State Police Command, including its initial description of the incident and handling of evidence.
It urged the authorities to provide immediate security protection for Sowore, his team, campaign associates and witnesses, while calling for criminal proceedings against anyone found culpable.
The group also requested international human rights monitoring of the case and diplomatic attention from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other concerned governments.
In its warning to Nigerian authorities, the movement said political participation, freedom of expression, movement and peaceful association were constitutionally protected rights that should not depend on an individual’s political affiliation.
“A presidential candidate must be able to travel throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria without fear of assault, abduction or political persecution,” it said.
“The duty to protect lives and property belongs to the state. That duty does not depend on political affiliation, prior notification of travel or allegiance to the government in power.”
The organisation insisted that the police must investigate the incident rather than engage in what it described as public relations, adding that political office should not shield anyone from criminal accountability.
It warned that it would pursue lawful avenues for accountability, including petitions to domestic and international institutions, diplomatic engagement, independent monitoring and judicial proceedings.
The statement concluded: “We refuse to accept a Nigeria in which political ambition is punished with violence, government connections allegedly shield attackers, and victims are denied justice.
“The safety of Omoyele Sowore and every member of his team must be guaranteed.
“No public official, security operative or politically connected individual should be above the law.”
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