Sowore Faults Lagos CP Over ‘Wanted’ Declaration, Says Police Ignored His Calls

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, accusing the police of ignoring his calls and misrepresenting the facts surrounding a disrupted gathering in Oworonsoki, Lagos.

In a statement shared via his social media handle on Monday, Sowore described the declaration as an attempt to “silence dissent” and distort the events that led to a police clampdown on a planned public assembly in the Oworonsoki area.

“The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for ‘disturbance of public peace’, allegedly because his officers failed to execute a ‘shoot on sight’ order issued by his illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, in Oworonsoki today,” Sowore stated.

He added that despite his repeated efforts to contact the Commissioner, the police chief “has refused to take my calls,” but noted his intention to meet with him soon to address the issue.

Earlier on Monday, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that Sowore had been declared wanted for allegedly planning to incite public disorder and block major roads in Lagos.

Speaking to journalists at Iyana-Oworo, CP Jimoh said the command was “closing in” on Sowore and others suspected of coordinating activities aimed at disrupting public peace.

He warned that anyone attempting to obstruct traffic or stage unlawful protests at strategic points such as the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, or Freedom Park would face prosecution.

“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” the police commissioner said, adding that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the alleged plan, while Sowore reportedly fled.

Jimoh further disclosed that officers had been deployed across critical areas of Lagos, with roadblocks and diversions in place to protect public infrastructure. He cautioned that the Third Mainland Bridge “was not designed to hold stationary weight,” warning that any gathering there could pose a structural risk.

Addressing concerns about recent tensions over demolitions in the Oworonsoki axis, Jimoh maintained that affected residents were duly compensated, insisting there was “no justification for any protest.”

He assured Lagos residents that the police were fully prepared to maintain law and order, stating: “We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety in Lagos.”

While reaffirming citizens’ right to freedom of expression, CP Jimoh stressed that such rights “must not be used to endanger lives or disrupt public peace.”

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