SOWORE SPEAKS OUT AFTER BEING DECLARED WANTED BY POLICE

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to his declaration as a wanted person by the Lagos State Police Command over an alleged plan to stage a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, had earlier declared Sowore wanted for allegedly attempting to organise a protest that could obstruct traffic flow on the bridge. The police boss warned that such an action would have caused severe hardship to motorists and commuters in the state.

Fayoade said the command received intelligence reports indicating plans by Sowore and some of his associates to use the Third Mainland Bridge for the protest, which prompted the police to take preventive action. He explained that the decision to declare the activist wanted was part of efforts to safeguard public peace and ensure the free movement of people and goods across the state.

Reacting to the development, Sowore, in a statement shared on his verified social media handles, faulted the Lagos Police Command for what he described as an “illegal and politically motivated” move. He said the police had ignored his attempts to reach out for clarification before making the public declaration.

“The Lagos Police Commissioner has reportedly declared me wanted for ‘disturbance of public peace’ allegedly because his officers could not execute a ‘shoot-on-sight’ order from his illegal Inspector-General of Police,” Sowore wrote.

He, however, stated that he intends to meet with the police commissioner in person to address the issue and clear any misunderstanding.

Sowore, a prominent critic of successive governments and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has been involved in several protests and campaigns advocating for good governance, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued further details on whether Sowore would be formally invited or arrested in connection with the alleged protest plot.

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