Cynthia Ezegwu
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has defended his decision to declare activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, wanted, saying the move was within his constitutional powers to maintain public order.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, Jimoh insisted that his action was lawful and aimed at preventing what he described as a planned “violent protest” in Lagos.
“I have the right to declare him wanted. Any person who says I don’t have such a right should go to court,” the police commissioner said.
Jimoh explained that the decision followed intelligence reports and social media monitoring that allegedly showed Sowore’s plans to mobilise protesters to block the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to him, the police acted swiftly by deploying officers, cordoning off parts of Lagos, and arresting 13 suspects linked to the planned protest. He added that a vehicle carrying loudspeakers and a generator intended for the demonstration was also seized.
“I don’t just declare (Sowore) wanted. When he posted something on his X handle that he had just taken a bath in Abuja and was heading to Lagos to block the Third Mainland Bridge, we were well prepared. We cordoned off the entire area where he planned to conduct these violent protests and ensured alternative routes were available,” he said.
The commissioner maintained that his actions were guided by the need to ensure public safety, protect lives and property, and avert chaos.
“I have the right under the Constitution to prevent crime from occurring, to prevent anybody from taking us into chaos or causing mayhem across the country,” he added.
Jimoh, however, clarified that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, did not issue any directive to declare Sowore wanted, describing reports suggesting otherwise as “mischievous.”
READ ALSO: Sowore Links Wanted Declaration to Failed “Shoot-On-Sight” Operation in Oworonshoki
“The IGP, I say without any doubt, has not given such an order — not to me or to any police institution across the country,” he said.
The controversy began on November 3, when the Lagos Police Command announced Sowore as wanted for alleged “acts capable of disturbing public peace” and planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.
In response, Sowore described the declaration as unlawful, arguing that no police officer has the power to declare a citizen wanted without a court-issued warrant.
He further alleged that the police’s action stemmed from their failure to execute an alleged “shoot-at-sight” order during the Oworonshoki protest — a claim the Lagos police chief strongly denied.
“No such directive has ever been given,” Jimoh stated.