Amanze Chinonye
The Lagos State Police Command has declared human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted for allegedly plotting to disrupt public peace through a planned protest in the state.
Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, announced the declaration during a press briefing at the Iyana-Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday. He alleged that Sowore and his associates had planned to stage demonstrations at key points in Lagos, including the Third Mainland Bridge, the Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
According to Jimoh, intelligence reports indicated that the group’s plan was to block major traffic routes, an act he described as criminal and capable of triggering severe congestion and endangering lives.
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“Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found,” Jimoh warned.
“Anyone attempting to cause disturbance or block our roads will face the full weight of the law.”
The commissioner added that the alleged plan, if executed, could have posed significant risks to both commuters and infrastructure.
“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” he said.
He revealed that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the planned protest, while Sowore allegedly fled. The police said investigations were ongoing to identify sponsors and collaborators behind the plot.
Jimoh further disclosed that officers had been deployed across key areas of the state, especially major bridges and highways, with roadblocks and diversions in place to prevent disruptions.
“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” he explained.
The commissioner also addressed growing tension linked to recent demolitions in parts of Lagos, particularly in the Oworonshoki area, stressing that the exercise was part of an urban renewal programme and that eligible residents had already been compensated.
“The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke crisis under the guise of protest,” Jimoh added.
He urged residents to go about their normal activities without fear, assuring that security agencies were fully deployed to maintain order across the state.
Sowore Denies Allegations, Says Police Targeted Him
Reacting to the police declaration, Omoyele Sowore took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he denied any wrongdoing and accused the police of targeting him for participating in a peaceful demonstration.
“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 Oworonshoki today,” he wrote.
Sowore said he had repeatedly attempted to contact the police commissioner without success, adding that he still intended to meet with him soon to address the situation.
“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,” he said.
The activist claimed that police officers had targeted him during an anti-demolition protest in the Oworonshoki area earlier in the day.
“Upon my arrival, the police contingents began firing riot guns directly at protesters and deployed additional RRS reinforcements. I captured some of their actions, including indiscriminate arrests and attacks on innocent bystanders during a Facebook Live broadcast I did on the scene,” he stated.
Sowore described the situation as a misuse of law enforcement authority.
“It is disheartening to see law enforcement officers, who should be dedicated to fighting crime, terrorism, insurgency, and banditry, being utilized against defenseless citizens,” he lamented.
The declaration of Sowore as wanted has sparked reactions from civic groups and human rights advocates, who view the development as an attempt to suppress dissent and criminalize peaceful protest.
As of Monday evening, Sowore’s whereabouts remained unknown, while the Lagos Police Command maintained heightened security presence around major routes, including the Third Mainland Bridge and Lekki Tollgate, to forestall unrest.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
