The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated that the declaration of activist Omoyele Sowore as wanted remains valid, vowing that the police will take all lawful measures to arrest him.
Jimoh had on Monday declared Sowore wanted for allegedly “causing a disturbance of public peace and acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the Police Commissioner confirmed that Sowore had yet to report to the police and insisted the declaration stands.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” CP Jimoh said during the interview.
He explained that Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him via text message on Monday while he was responding to a riot, and the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force for necessary follow-up.
“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out. The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” he said.
Jimoh, however, noted that Sowore failed to appear as agreed.
“Throughout yesterday, he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” he added.
The Commissioner maintained that he has the authority to declare Sowore wanted, urging anyone with objections to seek legal redress.
‘No Order to Shoot at Sight’
CP Jimoh dismissed claims by Sowore that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered that he be shot on sight, calling the allegation “a major misinformation.”
He described the claim as false and mischievous, asserting that the IGP would never issue such a directive.
“I think that is a great misinformation to the general public and to Nigerians at large, which no organisation will take lightly. The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police will never give such an order and has never given such an order,” CP Jimoh stated.
“For what reason will he give such an order against anybody across the country? That is where people will know that Sowore, in all ramifications, is planning, and has even begun to put plans in place, to cause mayhem across Lagos. That is why I went all out to declare him wanted.
“So, for him to say that the IGP has ordered that he be shot on sight is a big misinformation and mischievous, which he is known for.”
What You Should Know
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has had frequent clashes with Nigerian authorities over his activism and protests.
His current declaration as wanted adds to a series of legal and political controversies surrounding him.
