Lagos Commissioner of Police Jimoh Declares Sowore Wanted

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on Monday declared activist and #RevolutionNow convener Omoyele Sowore wanted, accusing him of plotting to disrupt movement and public peace on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Jimoh told reporters that Sowore is wanted “for causing disturbance of public peace, committing serious felony, for obstructing traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge and causing hardship for Lagosians, Nigerians and most especially visitors who are transiting through the Bridge.”

He said the police were “closing in on him” and warned Sowore to surrender.

“We will not allow this to happen,” Jimoh said. “We are closing in on him, he should be aware, whether he’s doing video or not, let him come down. He came down in Abuja, but why is he afraid to come down in Lagos? Wherever he is, he should report himself to the nearest Police station because I’m going to arrest and prosecute him.”

The commissioner also alleged that there was no legitimate reason for the proposed protest on Monday, claiming those involved in the Oworonshoki demolition “have been paid by the government,” and accused Sowore of intending “to instigate a crisis” in Lagos, a move Jimoh said would not be tolerated.

In response, Sowore stated that he made it impossible for the Police to execute a shoot-on-sight order and plans to meet with the Commissioner of Police to address his declaration.

“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.

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. #RevolutionNow”