Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has justified his decision to declare activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted, saying the move falls squarely within his constitutional mandate to maintain law and order.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Jimoh insisted he acted lawfully to forestall what he described as a planned “violent protest” in Lagos.
“I have the authority to declare him wanted. Anyone who disputes that should approach the court,” he said.
Jimoh said security agencies acted after monitoring Sowore’s alleged social media posts, which he claimed showed plans to mobilise protesters to obstruct the Third Mainland Bridge.
He disclosed that police preemptively fortified parts of Lagos, arresting 13 suspected participants and seizing a vehicle loaded with loudspeakers and a generator meant for the demonstration.
The commissioner said:
“When he posted on his X handle that he had just taken a bath in Abuja and that his next stop was Lagos to block the Third Mainland Bridge, we prepared. We secured the entire area he had targeted for this violent protest and ensured alternative routes were available.”
He emphasised that all actions taken were aimed at protecting public safety, preventing disruption, and averting possible chaos in the state.
“I have the constitutional responsibility to prevent crime and stop anyone trying to cause mayhem across the country,” he added.
Jimoh also dismissed claims that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered Sowore to be declared wanted, describing such reports as “mischievous.”
“The IGP has not given that order—neither to me nor to any police formation nationwide,” he said.
The controversy began on November 3, when the police announced Sowore as wanted for alleged attempts to disrupt public peace and block a major Lagos bridge.
Sowore rejected the declaration, calling it unlawful and arguing that the police cannot declare anyone wanted without a warrant issued by a court.
He further alleged that officers attempted to ambush him after failing to carry out what he called an illegal “shoot-at-sight” order during a protest in Oworonshoki.
Jimoh denied all claims of such an order, stressing that no directive of that nature had ever been issued.
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