The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has defended his decision to declare activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted, insisting that the move was made within his constitutional authority to maintain public order in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, November 5, Jimoh maintained that he acted lawfully to prevent 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,” he said.
According to Jimoh, security operatives had been monitoring Sowore’s social media activities and observed posts allegedly indicating plans to mobilise protesters to block the Third Mainland Bridge. “When he posted something on his X handle, and it’s there for people to verify, that he had just taken a bath in Abuja, and the next point is Lagos, to block the Third Mainland Bridge… we were well prepared,” the police chief said.
He added that officers cordoned off key areas in Lagos and arrested 13 suspects linked to the planned protest. A vehicle carrying loudspeakers and a generator, which police claimed were to be used during the demonstration, was also seized.
“I have the right under the Constitution to prevent crime from occurring, to prevent anybody that wants to take us into the house, to cause mayhem across the country,” Jimoh stated, emphasising that his actions were guided by the need to protect lives, property, and public safety.
He, however, clarified that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) did not issue any directive to declare Sowore wanted, describing reports suggesting otherwise as “mischievous.” “The IGP, I say without any doubt, has not given such an order. And he has not given it not only to me, but to virtually all the police institutions across the country,” he added.
The controversy began on November 3, when Lagos police declared Sowore wanted for alleged “acts capable of disturbing public peace” and planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.
In response, Sowore rejected the wanted declaration, describing it as unlawful. In a statement, he argued that no police officer, including the commissioner, has the power to declare anyone wanted without a court-issued warrant.
He further claimed that the declaration followed a failed attempt by police officers to ambush him, allegedly under a “shoot-at-sight” order. “I was informed that he (IGP Egbetokun) dispatched police officers to ambush me today. When this attempt failed, they declared me wanted,” Sowore alleged.
Jimoh has since denied the existence of any such “shoot-at-sight” directive, reiterating that no such order has ever been issued by the IGP or the Lagos State Police Command.
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