Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia with Our Reporter, Abuja
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly plotting to incite public disorder and obstruct major roads in the state. This is as Sowore has alleged a shoot-on-sight order over him by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, made the declaration on Sowore known on Monday while addressing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to him, the command is closing in on Sowore and others accused of coordinating activities intended to disrupt public peace.
“Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found. Anyone attempting to cause disturbance or block our roads will face the full weight of the law,” the commissioner warned.
Jimoh disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that Sowore and his associates planned to stage demonstrations at strategic locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
He described the alleged plan as criminal, saying it could cause severe traffic gridlock and endanger lives.
“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” he added.
The police chief revealed that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the planned protest, while Sowore allegedly fled. He said investigations were ongoing to identify the sponsors and collaborators.
Jimoh also stated that officers had been deployed to key areas, especially major bridges and highways, where temporary roadblocks and diversions were being implemented to ensure safety.
“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” he said.
Addressing tension linked to recent demolitions in parts of Lagos, particularly in the Oworo-Soki area, the CP said those affected had been duly compensated.
“The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke crisis under the guise of protest,” he maintained.
Jimoh urged Lagos residents to go about their normal activities without fear, assuring that security agencies were fully mobilized to maintain law and order.
“We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety in Lagos,” he added.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favour, stressing that freedom of expression must not degenerate into public nuisance or threats to lives.
However, in a swift response, Sowore accused the police of fabricating charges against him and alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had issued a “shoot on sight” order targeting him.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the activist wrote: “The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for ‘disturbance of public peace,’ allegedly as a result of his officers’ inability to execute a ‘shoot on sight’ order given by his illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, in Oworonsoki today.”
He added that despite making several attempts to reach the Lagos Police Commissioner, his calls were ignored.
“Despite my repeated attempts to contact Nigeria Police Force Commissioner Jimoh, he has not taken my calls; nevertheless, I plan to meet with him soon to address his declaration,” Sowore said.
The #RevolutionNow convener described the police action as part of ongoing attempts to silence dissent and intimidate pro-democracy voices across the country.
Sowore, a long time government critic, maintained that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and vowed not to be deterred by threats or intimidation.
