The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade Olohundare Jimoh, has declared that activist and politician Omoyele Sowore remains wanted by the police, vowing those officers will do everything within the law to arrest and prosecute him.
Jimoh, who spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television morning programme, said the declaration made earlier in the week that Sowore was wanted still stands.
The Commissioner accused the RevolutionNow convener of failing to honour an invitation from the police after being declared wanted for allegedly planning to cause public disorder in Lagos.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” Jimoh said. “We are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences.”
On Monday, the Lagos State Police Command declared Omoyele Sowore wanted for what it described as “causing a disturbance of public peace” and “acts to commit a serious felony.” The police alleged that Sowore and others were planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, one of the busiest highways in Nigeria.
The planned protest, according to the police, could have led to massive gridlock and threatened public order. In response, Sowore, who is known for his activism and criticism of government policies, denied the allegations and accused the authorities of trying to silence dissent.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, has a long history of political activism. He first gained national attention in 2019 when he organized the #RevolutionNow protests, calling for better governance, an end to corruption, and improved living conditions in Nigeria.
His activism has often brought him into conflict with the government. In 2019, he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and detained for several months on charges of treasonable felony. The case drew international attention, with human rights organizations demanding his release.
Speaking on Channels Television, Commissioner Jimoh explained that Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him via text message on Monday after the activist was declared wanted. The lawyer reportedly promised that Sowore would appear before the police for questioning at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Panti, Yaba.
“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out,” Jimoh explained. “The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest.”
However, according to the police chief, Sowore failed to honour the agreement and has yet to report to the police as of Tuesday evening.
“Throughout yesterday he has failed to report,” the CP said. “We are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences.”
Jimoh said the police would continue to pursue the case to its conclusion, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
The Lagos police have come under criticism from some activists and civil society groups who view the declaration as an attempt to intimidate dissenting voices. However, Jimoh defended the police’s actions, insisting that Sowore was not being targeted for his political beliefs but for allegedly planning activities that could disrupt public order.
“This is not about politics,” he said. “It is about law and order. Lagos is a busy city. Any attempt to block the Third Mainland Bridge will paralyze movement, affect businesses, and endanger lives. We cannot allow that to happen.”
The Third Mainland Bridge is one of Nigeria’s most important infrastructure links, connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. It carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily, and any obstruction can cause hours-long traffic jams across the city.
Although Sowore has yet to publicly respond to the Lagos CP’s latest remarks, he has in the past accused the police and other security agencies of targeting him unfairly. The activist has been a vocal critic of both past and present administrations, frequently using his social media platforms and online publication, Sahara Reporters, to expose alleged corruption and human rights abuses.
Sowore, who contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections under the African Action Congress (AAC), has repeatedly clashed with security agencies over his protests and activism.
In December 2019, his dramatic re-arrest inside a courtroom by DSS operatives sparked outrage both locally and internationally. The United States Senate and global rights group Amnesty International condemned the incident, calling it a violation of human rights and the rule of law.
Sowore has since remained a major figure in Nigeria’s activist circles, often organizing and leading demonstrations against poor governance, insecurity, and economic hardship.
The latest confrontation between the police and Sowore comes amid heightened public tension over economic hardship and growing political discontent in the country. Activist groups and labour unions have recently organized protests over rising fuel prices, inflation, and unemployment.
Human rights advocates argue that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest. They have called on the police to respect those rights while maintaining public order.
However, the police maintain that some groups use protests as a cover to cause chaos and damage public property. The Lagos State Command, in particular, has warned that it will not allow any protest that could disrupt the city’s economic activities or endanger lives.
Following the Lagos CP’s statement, legal experts and public commentators have urged both sides to adopt dialogue rather than confrontation. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong said in a television interview that declaring Sowore wanted was unnecessary since his lawyer had already established communication with the police.
“The police should have allowed the discussion to continue and ensured he appeared peacefully,” Effiong said. “Declaring him wanted escalates the situation and creates the impression of political persecution.”
Commissioner Jimoh concluded his interview by assuring Lagos residents that the police were acting strictly in accordance with the law. He emphasized that the command was not targeting anyone unjustly but was determined to uphold peace and order in the state.
“We are professionals,” he said. “We don’t act based on emotions or politics. Our job is to protect lives and property, and that is exactly what we will continue to do.”
He also called on Sowore to surrender himself to the authorities and cooperate with the investigation.
“Nobody is above the law,” the CP insisted. “If you believe you are innocent, the best thing is to come forward and clear yourself.”
