The Lagos State Police Command has declared human
rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore,
wanted for allegedly planning to cause public unrest in the state.
Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh made
the announcement on Monday while addressing journalists at the command
headquarters in Lagos.
“I, as the Commissioner of Police of the Lagos State
Command, hereby declare Omoyele Sowore wanted for acts capable of disturbing
public peace and for planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland
Bridge,” Jimoh stated.
According to the police chief, intelligence reports
revealed plans to stage a protest aimed at disrupting vehicular movement and
causing hardship for residents and visitors in Lagos.
“We will not allow this to happen. The police are
closing in on him. He should come forward and face the law,” Jimoh warned.
The commissioner also confirmed the arrest of 13
suspects allegedly linked to the planned demonstration.
He dismissed the basis of the proposed protest, saying
the residents affected by the Oworonshoki demolition exercise had
already been compensated by the government.
“Those concerned have been duly compensated and are
living peacefully. Sowore’s attempt to instigate violence in Lagos will not be
tolerated,” he added.
Jimoh assured Lagosians of their safety, urging them
to go about their normal activities without fear. “The police have coverage
everywhere. The same way we located him in Abuja, we’ll ensure he faces the law
here too,” he said.
Sowore had earlier vowed to mobilize a protest over
the recent demolitions in Oworonshoki, shortly after his release from
detention.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has
denied reports that its officers attacked residents during the demolition
exercise.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola
Adebisi, the police described such claims as “false and misleading,”
clarifying that the demolition was carried out by the Lagos State Department
of Urban Development and Planning in conjunction with the State Task
Force on Environmental and Special Offences.
Also reacting, the Lagos State Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), dismissed allegations
that the government violated a court order in connection with the demolition.
The latest development comes just days after Sowore
was released from Kuje Prison in Abuja, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy
Ejimakor, and others.
The Kuje Magistrate Court had granted them bail
following their arraignment for unlawful assembly and disturbance of
public peace during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
Magistrate Abubakar Sai’id granted each
defendant ?500,000 bail with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital
Territory and holding valid tax clearance.
Following his release, Sowore accused security agents
of using excessive force during the protest, describing the police actions as a
deliberate attempt to silence dissent.
His lawyer, Temitope Temokun, also alleged that
despite meeting bail conditions, Sowore was forcefully taken back to Kuje
Prison before eventually being freed.
The Lagos Police Command insists Sowore’s planned
protest poses a threat to public safety and has vowed to apprehend him
“wherever he is hiding.”
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