A journalist covering the Lagos Marathon was forcibly detained by a team linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and compelled to delete camera footage showing an assault on human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, his team, and a group of journalists.
The incident unfolded after Sowore participated in the 2025 Lagos City Marathon, when a group of thugs attacked him and his team. According to Sowore, the assailants accused them of unlawfully occupying the “VVIP” section at the event, prompting the violent confrontation.
Eyewitnesses report that the thugs were led by Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission and one of the marathon’s organisers.
During the attack on Sowore, the thugs also targeted journalists recording the incident. A journalist identified as Ufuoma was assaulted, and his camera was forcefully seized.
How occupying a canopy after the Lagos Marathon 10k infuriated some rogue elements who assaulted our crew members and journalists leading to unprovoked attacks which led to the seized a camera of one of our journalist insisting they view and delete all the contents because it… pic.twitter.com/cwfO8uLbzF
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) February 15, 2025
Ufuoma, who had been covering the marathon, said he was offered N2 million to surrender his camera and the footage of the incident.
“While recording the incident, a woman among the people who were attacking Sowore and his team sighted me and called the other people to attack and seize my camera. Many guys rounded me, they were hitting me and overpowered me; then they took the camera away from me.
“Initially, those responsible denied knowledge of the camera’s whereabouts but Olopade later admitted it was in their possession.
“After pleading with them for hours and also pleading with the DG, they offered me N2 million to buy another camera and leave the one seized but I rejected it because of all the things I have on my camera.
“They then took me to Eko Hotels and Suites where they were lodged and Olopade then ordered his men to return the camera but not before reviewing the footage. They later took it to their hotel room, deleted the sections showing Sowore at the finish line and the part showing how he (Olopade) brought thugs to attack, and only then returned it,” he recounted his ordeal.
It was also gathered that Olopade made repeated threats to Sowore over the phone while overseeing the deletion of the footage.
The Take It Back Movement has condemned the incident, demanding a public apology from the marathon organisers for what they described as complicity in the “politically motivated aggression”.
They also called for the immediate arrest of Olopade and those involved in the attack.
However, Olopade denied the allegations, claiming he was attempting to calm the situation.
“You can see from the video he posted himself; I was begging him to return. I did not threaten Sowore,” he added.
APC Thugs Attack Sowore, Crew Members, Journalists At Lagos City Marathon#LagosCityMarathon pic.twitter.com/WMdjkbmXTI
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 15, 2025
Sowore is known for his outspoken criticism of the government and his activism against corruption and political injustice. He is the founder of Sahara Reporters, an online news platform known for investigative journalism that exposes political scandals and government misconduct in Nigeria.
Sowore has consistently criticised the APC, including key figures within the Lagos State Government, accusing them of corruption and authoritarianism.
He ran for President under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, campaigning on a platform of radical political change, anti-corruption, and social justice.
Sowore has been arrested multiple times by Nigerian security forces, including the Department of State Services (DSS), over allegations of treason and his involvement in organising protests like the #RevolutionNow movement, which called for political reforms and an end to bad governance.
These confrontations have made him a target for political retaliation.
