Omoyele Sowore has reacted after the Lagos State Police declared him wanted, alleging that the move follows a failed attempt to ambush him.

On his social media page, Sowore recalled a similar episode from 1994, writing: “In 1994, then-Lagos Police Commissioner James Danbaba, in connivance with the Vice-Chancellor and authorities at the University of Lagos, orchestrated an attempt on my life using campus gangs. When this attempt failed, he declared me wanted after violently arresting all the student union leaders and falsely charging them for armed robbery. They also expelled us from UNILAG. Danbaba was later arrested alongside Major Al Mustapha for his role in aiding General Sani Abacha in several deadly attacks on opposition figures including Kudirat Abiola and Alex Ibru. He died a miserable death years later!”

Sowore drew parallels to the present situation, claiming that Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is “following a similar dangerous path.” He added, “I was informed that he dispatched police officers to ambush me today. When this attempt failed, they declared me wanted.”

The Lagos State Police had announced that Sowore is wanted over plans to disrupt public peace and obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge during protests linked to demolitions at Oworonshoki. Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh said Sowore and others were under investigation for their alleged role in the unrest.

Sowore described the declaration as politically motivated and said that his repeated attempts to contact the police commissioner for clarification went unanswered. He emphasized his intention to meet with the commissioner to address the situation.

The incident has reignited tensions between Sowore, a pro-democracy activist, and Nigerian authorities, drawing national attention.