The Lagos State Police Command has declared activist Omoyele Sowore wanted for allegedly orchestrating activities aimed at disrupting public order and obstructing key roads across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, made the announcement on Monday at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge, noting that Sowore and others were being pursued by security operatives.
“Sowore should report to the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found,” Jimoh warned. “Anyone attempting to disrupt peace or block roads will face the full weight of the law.”
The commissioner said intelligence reports suggested plans for demonstrations at critical locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park. He described such actions as criminal and potentially hazardous, noting that they could cause severe traffic congestion and endanger lives.
“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” he added.
According to Jimoh, 13 suspects connected to the planned protest have already been arrested, while Sowore allegedly fled. Investigations are ongoing to identify other collaborators and sponsors.
Security officers have been deployed across key locations, particularly major bridges and highways, with roadblocks and traffic diversions in place. The commissioner stressed that these measures are temporary and intended to safeguard peace and protect critical infrastructure.
“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” Jimoh noted.
Addressing tensions linked to recent demolitions in parts of Lagos, especially the Oworo-Soki area, he said affected residents had received government compensation. “The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke crisis under the guise of protest,” he said.
Jimoh urged Lagos residents to continue their daily activities without fear, assuring that security agencies remain fully deployed to maintain law and order. “We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety,” he said.
He emphasized that while freedom of expression is protected, it should not devolve into public nuisance or endanger lives, reaffirming the command’s commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favour.
