Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has faulted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, over reports that he has been declared wanted for allegedly attempting to disrupt public peace in the Oworonsoki area of Lagos State.
Reacting through his social media handle on Thursday, Sowore described the police action as a desperate attempt to silence him and misrepresent facts about a planned gathering reportedly disrupted by security operatives.
“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,” Sowore wrote.
He said he had made several attempts to contact the Lagos Police boss but that the commissioner had refused to take his calls. “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,” the activist stated.
Earlier, the Lagos State Police Command announced that Sowore had been declared wanted over alleged plans to incite public disorder and obstruct major roads across the state.
Speaking to journalists at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge, CP Jimoh said the command was closing in on Sowore and others accused of coordinating activities capable of disrupting public peace.
He warned that anyone attempting to block major routes or engage in acts capable of causing chaos would be dealt with in accordance with the law, stressing that intelligence reports had linked Sowore and his associates to planned demonstrations 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 disclosed that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the alleged plot, while Sowore reportedly fled the scene before security operatives arrived. He added that investigations were ongoing to identify sponsors and collaborators behind the planned protest.
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