The Omoyele Sowore says he is aware of the decision by the Lagos State Police Command to declare him wanted following alleged plans to block the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The declaration was made by Moshood Jimoh, Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, who said that Sowore is wanted for “causing disturbance of public peace and planning to obstruct traffic and create hardship for Lagos residents.” He added: “He should be aware that we are closing on him. He should report himself to the nearest police station, because I am going to arrest him, investigate him and prosecute him.”
The police deployment is reported to have been made early Monday morning near the Third Mainland Bridge and around Oworonshoki as a preventive measure against the planned disruption of traffic. Jimoh warned that blocking the bridge could threaten public safety and infrastructure, saying: “Bridges are designed for moving traffic, not stationary loads.”
In his response, Sowore took to social media to accuse the police of declaring him wanted as a result of their inability to carry out what he described as a “shoot on sight” order issued by the Kayode Egbetokun, whom he referred to as “illegal IGP”. Sowore claimed: “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.”
Thirteen people have reportedly already been arrested in connection with the planned protest over the demolition of buildings in the Oworonshoki community. The police maintain that compensation has been paid to the affected residents and that there is no justification for a protest that would disrupt key traffic routes.
This development underscores the increasingly tense climate between civil rights activists and state security agencies in Lagos, particularly over protests that potentially disrupt major thoroughfares and economic activities.