Lagos police vow to arrest Sowore despite shoot-on-sight denial
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has insisted that the activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted by the command, stressing that the police will use every lawful means to apprehend him.
Jimoh said the decision to declare Sowore wanted was taken after intelligence reports linked him to alleged plans to disrupt public order and obstruct traffic on the busy Third Mainland Bridge.
According to him, the move was necessary to prevent chaos and ensure the safety of Lagos residents.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the Police Commissioner confirmed that Sowore had not reported to the police since the declaration was made earlier in the week.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” Jimoh said firmly during the broadcast.
“We have given him ample time to come forward, yet he has refused. We will not relent in enforcing the law.”
He explained that Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him on Monday, shortly after the announcement, while he was responding to a riot incident.
Jimoh said the matter was referred to the Police Legal Department for proper handling, and both parties had agreed that Sowore would appear at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning.
“However, despite that agreement, he never showed up,” the commissioner said.
“We are now taking all lawful steps to arrest, investigate, and prosecute him for the offences he is accused of.”
Jimoh emphasized that he had every legal authority to declare Sowore wanted and challenged anyone who disagreed to approach the courts.
“There’s a procedure in law enforcement. If anyone believes my action is unlawful, they can seek redress in court. But as far as we are concerned, the declaration stands,” he stated.
Reacting to allegations that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered Sowore to be shot on sight, Jimoh dismissed the claim as “baseless and dangerous misinformation.”
According to him, “There was never such an instruction from the IGP. It is false, mischievous, and intended to create fear among Nigerians.
The IGP is a law-abiding officer who will never issue such an order under any circumstance.”
He further accused Sowore of spreading falsehoods to incite unrest, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated.
“For Sowore to say the IGP gave an order to shoot him on sight is a calculated attempt to cause public panic,” Jimoh said.
“This kind of misinformation is what we are trying to curb because it can destabilize society.”
The police commissioner maintained that the command remains committed to maintaining law and order while respecting human rights, noting that no one is above the law, regardless of their public status.
“Sowore’s case is not about silencing activism; it’s about ensuring accountability under the law,” he added.
“Lagos cannot afford any form of lawlessness, and the police will act decisively when the peace of the state is threatened.”