Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, for allegedly declaring him wanted, claiming the police chief has refused to answer his calls despite several attempts to reach him.
Reacting via his social media page on Monday, Sowore described the police declaration as an attempt to silence him and misrepresent the situation surrounding the incident in the Oworonsoki area of Lagos, where officers had earlier dispersed a planned gathering.
“The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for ‘disturbance of public peace,’ allegedly because his officers failed to carry out a ‘shoot on sight’ order given by his illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, in Oworonsoki today,” Sowore stated.
He further noted that despite several efforts to contact Commissioner Jimoh, the police boss had not responded to his calls but added that he still intends to meet him soon to clarify the issue.
Earlier on Monday, the Lagos State Police Command had announced that Sowore was wanted for allegedly plotting to incite public disorder and block major roads across the state.
Commissioner Jimoh made this known while briefing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge, saying the command was closing in on Sowore and others suspected of organising activities to disrupt public peace.
He warned that anyone attempting to block roads or cause unrest would face the full force of the law, explaining that intelligence reports revealed plans by Sowore and his associates to stage protests at key locations including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” the commissioner said.
Jimoh also disclosed that 13 suspects had been arrested in connection with the planned protest, while Sowore allegedly escaped. He noted that investigations were underway to identify the sponsors and collaborators behind the movement.
The police chief added that officers had been deployed to strategic areas across Lagos, with temporary roadblocks and diversions set up to safeguard critical infrastructure.
“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” he explained.
Addressing recent unrest following demolitions in parts of Lagos, particularly in the Oworonsoki axis, Jimoh said affected residents had already been compensated by the government.
“The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke crisis under the guise of protest,” he said.
He urged Lagosians to remain calm and continue their daily activities without fear, assuring that security agencies were alert and fully prepared to maintain peace and order across the state.
“We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety in Lagos,” he vowed.
Jimoh stressed that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights must not be abused to endanger lives or threaten public peace.
