The Lagos State Police Command has declared human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted for allegedly planning to disrupt public order through a protest in the state.
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, made the announcement on Monday during a press briefing in Lagos.
“I hereby, as the Commissioner of Police of the Lagos Police Command, declare Omoyele Sowore wanted,” Jimoh said. “He is wanted for causing a disturbance of public peace and for acts aimed at committing a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.”
According to the police, Sowore’s planned protest was intended to cause hardship for Lagos residents and visitors.
“We will not allow this to happen. We are closing in on him wherever he is. He should come down and face the law,” the Commissioner warned.
Jimoh also disclosed that 13 suspects connected to the planned demonstration had already been arrested.
The police further described the protest as unnecessary, insisting that residents affected by the recent demolitions in Oworonshoki the issue Sowore planned to protest had already been compensated by the Lagos State Government.
“Those concerned have been paid compensation and continue to live peacefully,” Jimoh said. “Sowore’s attempt to instigate violence in Lagos will not be tolerated.”
He urged residents to remain calm and go about their daily activities without fear, adding that the police were fully prepared to maintain peace across the state.
The Command also dismissed reports that officers attacked residents during the Oworonshoki demolition exercise, calling such claims “false and misleading.”
In a statement signed by spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi, the police clarified that the exercise was conducted by the Lagos State Department of Urban Development and Planning, in collaboration with the State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences.
Also reacting, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), denied allegations that the government disobeyed a court order regarding the demolition.
Sowore’s latest clash with law enforcement follows his recent release from Kuje Prison, Abuja, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and others.
They were arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest and later arraigned before the Kuje Magistrate Court for unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.
The court granted them ₦500,000 bail each, with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory. Despite meeting the conditions, Sowore’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, alleged that his client was forcefully taken from court back to prison before eventually being released.
Following his release, Sowore had vowed to mobilise protests over the Oworonshoki demolitions, accusing the authorities of injustice and brutality against poor residents.
