Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has maintained his position that activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, remains a wanted person, three days after the initial declaration.
Speaking on Channels Television‘s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, Commissioner Jimoh stated that Sowore has failed to honour an agreement to report to the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning.
The police chief initially declared Sowore wanted on Monday, citing intelligence reports of plans to stage demonstrations that could disrupt public peace across major Lagos routes, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
“Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found,” Jimoh had told journalists at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday.
The commissioner disclosed that Sowore’s lawyer reached out via text message on Monday while he was responding to a riot situation. The message was subsequently forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force.
“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out,” Jimoh explained during the television interview.
However, he noted that despite this arrangement, the activist has not presented himself for questioning. “Throughout yesterday, he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” the commissioner stated.
Thirteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the planned protest, according to the commissioner, who added that Sowore had “fled” before officers could apprehend him.
Police personnel have been deployed across strategic locations in Lagos to maintain order and prevent any disruptions to traffic and public peace.
When asked about his authority to declare a citizen wanted, Commissioner Jimoh defended his actions and challenged critics to seek legal redress. “My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” he said, adding that anyone with contrary opinions should approach the courts.
The commissioner also explained that standard investigative procedure involves concluding inquiries before making arrests, though this appears to contrast with the public wanted declaration issued before the investigation’s completion.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and longtime government critic, has faced multiple arrests over the years for organizing protests and demonstrations against various government policies.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
