Reports have emerged of how the APC team led by one Bukola Olopade detained a journalist and forced the deletion of footage of attack on Omoyele Sowore and several Journalists at the Lagos City Marathon on Saturday.
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.
According to Saharareporters, 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, Saharareporters revealed.
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.
Saharareporters further revealed that Olopade made repeated threats to Sowore over the phone while overseeing the deletion of the footage.
When contacted, 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.
Leave a Reply