The Take-It-Back Movement Global has approached the governments of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, alongside international human rights and security institutions, seeking intervention over the alleged attack on human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his entourage in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The organisation, in an international security alert issued on October 31, described the incident, which occurred on October 30, as a possible politically motivated attack and called for an independent investigation into allegations linking individuals associated with the Ekiti State Government to the violence.
Sowore and members of his team reportedly sustained injuries after armed men attacked them at a restaurant shortly after his appearance on MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti. According to the movement, the attackers allegedly used dangerous weapons, damaged vehicles and carted away personal belongings, leaving some victims requiring medical attention.
The petition, signed by the movement’s Director-General, Arc. Dr. Chidi Cadet Nwanyanwu, was addressed to several international institutions, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the United Nations human rights office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Domestic institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Human Rights Commission, were also notified.
The organisation expressed concern over claims that the individual allegedly leading the attackers was known to Sowore and reportedly holds an appointment as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
It further referenced claims by the Conscience Foundation identifying an individual known as Don Flexy as the alleged leader of the group.
The movement called on investigators to establish the person’s identity and verify whether he has any official position or financial relationship with the Ekiti State Government.
However, it emphasised that the allegations must be independently investigated and that no individual should be considered guilty without due process.
The group also questioned the reported presence of security personnel allegedly attached to the Ekiti State Government House during the incident. According to the petition, Sowore claimed that members of his security detail refrained from responding because they recognised some of the operatives accompanying the alleged attackers.
It therefore demanded an investigation into the identities, deployment records and command authorisations of all security personnel reportedly present at the scene.
The movement equally called for an examination of Sowore’s allegation that DSS operatives had monitored his movements and may have provided information that enabled the attackers to locate him.
In its appeal to the United States, the organisation urged the FBI, Department of Justice and Department of State to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, noting that Sowore is a lawful permanent resident of the country.
It requested that American authorities explore available diplomatic and legal channels for supporting evidence preservation, security protection and accountability.
The movement, however, acknowledged that Sowore’s US permanent residency does not automatically give American authorities criminal jurisdiction over an alleged assault committed in Nigeria.
It explained that its request was for the examination of appropriate international cooperation mechanisms rather than an assumption of direct American jurisdiction.
The Take-It-Back Movement also formally notified Canadian authorities, including Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada, the RCMP and the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria.
Through its Canadian branch, the organisation urged the government to monitor developments, seek explanations from Nigerian authorities through diplomatic channels and raise concerns about political violence and the independence of security institutions.
Similarly, its United Kingdom branch called on the British government, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the British High Commission in Nigeria, the Home Office and the National Crime Agency to pay attention to the incident.
The organisation requested diplomatic engagement with Nigerian authorities over the alleged involvement of government-linked individuals and security operatives, while also seeking increased attention to the safety of Sowore, his associates and other human rights defenders.
It noted that its presence in Canada and the UK provided platforms for raising documented human rights concerns, although this did not automatically establish criminal jurisdiction over the incident in Nigeria.
Among its major demands, the movement called for an independent criminal investigation, the identification of all individuals involved and the disclosure of the records and authorisations of security operatives allegedly present during the attack.
It also requested the recovery of stolen belongings, proper documentation of the victims’ medical reports and injuries, and the preservation of witness accounts and other relevant evidence.
The organisation further urged security agencies to provide immediate protection for Sowore, members of his team, campaign associates and potential witnesses.
It maintained that anyone found culpable should face prosecution, irrespective of political connections or official position.
The movement also called for international human rights monitoring and sustained diplomatic attention to the case, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Warning against the growing threat of political violence, the organisation maintained that freedom of expression, movement, association and political participation must be guaranteed to every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation.
It insisted that the responsibility to protect citizens rests with the government and should not depend on an individual’s political allegiance.
The group concluded by pledging to pursue lawful means of securing justice, including further petitions, diplomatic engagements, independent monitoring and judicial action.
It stressed that no public official, security operative or politically connected individual should be exempt from accountability under the law.