Police Declare Sowore Wanted Over Alleged Plan To Stage Protest In Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has declared activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore wanted for allegedly planning to incite public unrest and obstruct major roads in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, announced this on Monday during a press briefing held at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge.

Jimoh said Sowore, who leads the “Take It Back Movement,” ignored repeated warnings from the police against mobilising protests over the recent demolition of houses in the Oworonshoki area.

“We are closing in on Sowore and others involved in coordinating activities intended to disrupt public peace.
Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found,” he said.

The police commissioner warned that anyone attempting to cause disturbances or block public roads would “face the full weight of the law.”

According to Jimoh, intelligence reports revealed that Sowore and his associates were allegedly planning simultaneous demonstrations at strategic locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.

Describing the plan as “criminal,” the commissioner said such actions could trigger severe traffic disruptions 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.

Jimoh disclosed that 13 suspects connected to the planned protest had already been arrested, while Sowore was reportedly on the run. He confirmed that investigations were ongoing to identify the sponsors and collaborators behind the movement.

The police have since deployed officers across major highways and bridges, setting up temporary roadblocks and diversions to prevent possible demonstrations.

“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” Jimoh stated.

Addressing the controversy surrounding recent demolitions in Oworonshoki, Jimoh insisted that residents whose properties were affected had been compensated.

“The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke a crisis under the guise of protest,” he said.

He urged Lagos residents to go about their normal activities without fear, assuring that security agencies were “fully in control of the situation.”

“We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety in Lagos,” the commissioner declared.

Jimoh reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to enforcing the law “without fear or favour,” stressing that freedom of expression must not translate into a public nuisance or threat to life.

Earlier reports shows that Sowore had threatened to lead a protest against the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki, following growing public outrage over the incident.

He made the threat shortly after being granted bail in Abuja, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and other activists.

Commissioner Jimoh, however, warned Sowore against mobilising any demonstrations, saying the police had made massive security deployments across Lagos to prevent public disorder.

He reiterated that the command would not tolerate any attempt to block major roads or disrupt the peace in the state.