Sowore condemns Lagos Police for rights abuse after being declared wanted, accusing Commissioner Jimoh of silencing dissent and twisting facts about Lagos unrest.
Sowore condemns Lagos Police for allegedly abusing power and unlawfully declaring him a wanted man over what he called a peaceful civic gathering in Lagos.
The former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters said the action by the Lagos Police Command represents a growing threat to free speech and human rights in Nigeria.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore issued a strong condemnation on Monday after Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, allegedly declared him wanted.
He described the declaration as an attempt to suppress dissent and distort facts surrounding the Oworonshoki gathering, where armed police officers reportedly disrupted a citizens’ assembly.
In a post shared on his verified social media account, Sowore stated, “The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for disturbing public peace, following his officers’ failure to execute a ‘shoot-on-sight’ order given by his illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.”
Sowore explained that despite his repeated attempts to reach Commissioner Jimoh to clarify the matter, all efforts had been ignored.
“I have made several calls to Commissioner Jimoh, but he refuses to take them. Nonetheless, I intend to meet him personally to address this unlawful declaration,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Lagos Police Command publicly stated that Sowore and others were under investigation for allegedly planning to incite public disorder and block major roads in the state.
Commissioner Jimoh, addressing journalists near Iyana-Oworo on the Third Mainland Bridge, said the police had credible intelligence reports that Sowore’s group planned simultaneous demonstrations across Lagos.
According to Jimoh, these planned gatherings at Lekki Tollgate, Freedom Park, and the Third Mainland Bridge were designed to disrupt peace and paralyze traffic.
“It is only someone who needs mental examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” the commissioner said.
Jimoh further disclosed that 13 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the alleged protest plan, while Sowore was said to have fled the scene before police operatives arrived.
“We are closing in on all those behind the planned disturbance. Lagos will not tolerate anarchy,” he asserted.
However, Sowore condemns Lagos Police for what he called fabricated allegations meant to justify repression. He denied any involvement in unlawful activity and described the declaration as a calculated attack on activism and democratic rights.
“This is an attempt to criminalize peaceful engagement and intimidate citizens who speak against injustice,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian Police under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun has become a tool for political persecution rather than law enforcement.
“Instead of protecting lives, they target activists. They are turning the police into a weapon of fear and intimidation,” Sowore lamented.
The activist recalled similar experiences from past encounters with security agencies, noting that he had been arrested multiple times for organizing peaceful protests.
“Every time we demand good governance, they respond with violence and threats. Yet, our resolve for a better Nigeria remains unbroken,” he declared.
Independent observers say the controversy highlights the persistent tension between the state’s security apparatus and Nigeria’s civil society.
Sowore condemns Lagos Police for perpetuating this cycle of harassment, arguing that democracy cannot thrive when the right to peaceful assembly is treated as a crime.
Human rights groups have echoed Sowore’s position, warning that the arbitrary labeling of activists as criminals undermines constitutional freedoms.
Several civil organizations have also demanded an investigation into the alleged “shoot-on-sight” directive mentioned by Sowore, describing such orders as unconstitutional and dangerous.
Political analysts suggest that the confrontation between Sowore and the police reflects a larger national problem — one where security forces often interpret activism as rebellion.
They note that the misuse of police power to suppress protests contradicts Nigeria’s democratic ideals and international human rights obligations.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Jimoh defended the police operation, stating that officers were deployed to maintain peace and protect public infrastructure. He confirmed that roadblocks and patrols had been established across strategic areas of Lagos to prevent unrest.
“We are acting on intelligence, not speculation. The safety of millions of Lagosians cannot be compromised for any illegal demonstration,” Jimoh said.
Despite the commissioner’s justification, critics insist the police response was disproportionate and politically motivated.
They argue that rather than address the public’s grievances, authorities resort to intimidation, arrests, and propaganda.
Social media has since erupted in solidarity with Sowore. Hashtags like #StandWithSowore and #EndPoliceHarassment trended across X (formerly Twitter), with citizens demanding accountability from the Lagos Police Command. Many Nigerians accused the police of abusing power and violating democratic norms.
Civil rights coalitions are now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the police uphold the rule of law. They argue that allowing political policing to continue unchecked could endanger Nigeria’s democratic credibility.
In his concluding remarks, Sowore condemns Lagos Police once again, saying the fight for justice and freedom cannot be silenced by fear.
“They may brand me wanted, but the truth remains wanted too — by every Nigerian yearning for justice,” he said.
The incident, analysts say, is another test of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, transparency, and civil rights.
As tension continues to rise, both sides appear to be standing firm, the police emphasizing control, and activists like Sowore defending the people’s right to speak freely.
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