CITIZENS COMPASS— Barely a week after his release from the Kuje Prison in Abuja, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olohundare Jimoh, on Monday, declared the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
The Police Commissioner declared the activist wanted following a protest by the victims of demolition in the Oworonshoki area of the State.
CP Olohundare also ordered a massive deployment of policemen on and around the Third Mainland Bridge.
Addressing journalists during an On-the-Spot assessment of the area, the CP said 13 suspects were arrested.
believed to be Sowore loyalists have been arrested and the vehicle and loudspeaker they came with have been seized by the police.
He said the deployment was intended to protect lives, safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure free movement for thousands of daily commuters between Lagos Island and the mainland. “This location is vital to the city’s economy and the wellbeing of commuters. We will not allow any action, peaceful or otherwise, that seeks to block the bridge and disrupt livelihoods.
“Any attempt to obstruct the Third Mainland Bridge is a direct threat to public safety and national infrastructure.”
The Commissioner said police units have been positioned at strategic points, including Iyana-Oworo, Ilubirin and the Berger bus stop and at terminals to prevent demonstrators from infiltrating vehicles and reaching the carriageway. Traffic-control and tactical units have also been mobilised to keep buses and private vehicles moving and to minimise disruption.
He said Sowore was declared wanted for alleged offences, including causing disturbance of public peace and planning to obstruct traffic and create hardship for Lagos residents. “I hereby, as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, declare Sowore wanted. investigations are ongoing and that the police are closing in on him.
“He should be aware that we are closing on him. He should report himself to the nearest police station, because I am going to arrest him, investigate him and prosecute him.”
The police commissioner also told journalists that 13 arrests have already been made in connection with “miscreant” activity and that those using the demolition issue to instigate violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He reiterated that residents of Oworonshoki who were entitled to compensation had been paid by the relevant government agency and that there was no justifiable reason to stage a disruptive protest on vital transport links.
“We are on ground and prepared to deal with any eventuality within the confines of the law.
Commuters at bus stops near the bridge were observed using alternative boarding points as traffic officers redirected vehicles around cordoned areas. The police appealed to Lagosians to remain calm, cooperate with security and traffic personnel, and go about their daily businesses without fear.
“Anyone attempting to disturb public peace will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted. Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, and we cannot afford chaos here.”
The CP said he spotted Sowore in a vehicle around the protest venue but he did not step out from the vehicle.
Reacting, Sowore on his social media handles, said, “The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for ‘disturbance of public peace’, allegedly as a result of his officers’ inability to execute a ‘shoot on sight’ order given by his illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun in Oworonsoki today.
“Despite my repeated attempts to contact Nigeria Police Force Commissioner Jimoh, he has not taken my calls; nevertheless, I plan to meet with him soon to address his declaration. #RevolutionNow.”
