Sowore Still Wanted, Police Vow to Arrest Him

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has reaffirmed that activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted by the police, vowing that all lawful measures will be taken to arrest him.

Jimoh, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, said his declaration of Sowore as wanted is still in effect.

The police had on Monday declared Sowore wanted for allegedly causing a disturbance of public peace and planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge — offences described as acts capable of leading to a serious felony.

“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” CP Jimoh said.

He explained that Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him via text message on Monday while he was attending to a riot, and that the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Lagos State Police Command for follow-up.

“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out. The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” he said.

However, the police commissioner noted that Sowore had failed to appear as agreed.

“Throughout yesterday he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” he added.

Jimoh defended his authority to declare the activist wanted, insisting that the move was within his powers as the state Commissioner of Police.

Police Deny ‘Shoot on Sight’ Order

The Commissioner also dismissed claims by Sowore that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered that he be shot on sight, describing the allegation as false and mischievous.

“That is a great misinformation to the general public and to Nigerians at large, which no organisation will take lightly,” he said.
“The Inspector-General of Police will never give such an order and has never given such an order.”

Jimoh argued that the allegation was intended to mislead the public and incite unrest.

“For what reason will he give such an order against anybody across the country? That is where people will know that Sowore, in all ramifications, is planning, and has even begun to put plans in place, to cause mayhem across Lagos. That is why I went all out to declare him wanted,” he added.

He maintained that the police would continue to act within the law to ensure public order and protect the rights of citizens.