LAGOS CP REITERATES SOWORE REMAINS WANTED OVER ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO CAUSE PUBLIC DISTURBANCE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has reaffirmed that human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted by the command for allegedly attempting to cause public disturbance in the state.
Jimoh made the disclosure on Monday while receiving a delegation of social activists at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja.
According to the Commissioner, despite an earlier declaration of Sowore as wanted, the activist has yet to turn himself in, even after a lawyer reportedly contacted the command seeking information on where Sowore could submit himself for questioning.
“The lawyer called, and I directed our legal department to liaise with him, but Sowore has not shown up,” Jimoh said. “There is no time limit for arresting a wanted person. He has been declared wanted, and wherever he is seen within Lagos State, he will be arrested.”
The CP noted that he had not received any court order restraining the police from arresting Sowore, adding that all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Lagos had been directed to apprehend him anywhere he is found except inside a courtroom.
“I am not aware of any court order restraining me from arresting Sowore,” Jimoh said. “The police are a respecter of the law, but if there is no such order, we will go ahead with his arrest.”
He maintained that his decision to declare Sowore wanted was fully backed by the Nigerian Constitution, citing Sections 215 (1b), (4), and (5), which empower the Commissioner of Police to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and ensure public safety.
“As the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, I am constitutionally empowered to act as I deem fit to maintain peace and order,” he explained. “Anyone who plans to cause mayhem, destroy property, or threaten the safety of Lagos residents will be declared wanted.”
Jimoh emphasized the command’s commitment to public safety and warned against any attempt to disrupt peace in the state, particularly by blocking the Third Mainland Bridge under the guise of protest.
“Blocking the Third Mainland Bridge not only endangers lives but also undermines the integrity of the bridge and poses a risk to the nation’s economy,” he stated.
During the visit, social activist Dr. Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, expressed support for the police, condemning what he described as “lawlessness in the name of activism.”
He said, “We have seen in modern times how some people parade themselves as activists just to endanger society. Police work has become more difficult because of such individuals who act without consequences. Many are in activism for grants, not patriotism.”
Awosanya stressed the need to strengthen and reform the Nigeria Police Force, adding that his group would continue to advocate against acts of lawlessness disguised as activism.
This marks the third time the Lagos Commissioner of Police has declared Sowore wanted over alleged plans to mobilise protesters to block the Third Mainland Bridge in response to the state government’s demolition exercise in Oworonshoki.
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