Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has responded to reports claiming he was declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, asserting that the decision was made following the force’s failure to execute an order attributed to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in Oworonshoki, Lagos.
In a statement on his social media platforms, Sowore said the police attributed the “wanted” status to allegations of his involvement in “public disturbance.” He said attempts to reach Commissioner Jimoh for clarification were unsuccessful.
“The Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, has reportedly declared me ‘wanted’ for ‘disturbance of public peace,’ allegedly following his officers’ inability to enforce a ‘shoot on sight’ directive from IGP Egbetokun in Oworonshoki today,” Sowore said in the post.
His version of events claims that on the day in question, he moved to the protest scene to mediate or observe, not instigate violence. The ongoing demonstration in the Oworonshoki community was being staged to protest the demolition of homes, which many residents described as illegal and unjust.
Eyewitnesses recounted that armed policemen and demolition teams were present in the area, and teargas was deployed to disperse protesters and residents demanding government intervention and compensation. Bulldozers reportedly leveled structures, and cries of shock and frustration echoed across the neighborhood.
Sowore, who had earlier pledged to visit the community following the demolition, told followers that he had traveled to Oworonshoki amidst warnings and threats from some police quarters. He alleged that security operatives had previously tried to block him from entering the area.
In his post, he also cautioned that such extreme measures—declaring citizens “wanted” over civic protests—could undermine democratic values. He warned that future protests should not be met with indiscriminate force or summary designations of guilt.
Observers say the controversy highlights tensions between civil activism and state authority, particularly around the balance between protest rights and public order. Legal experts note that declaring someone “wanted” typically demands due process, including formal charges and arrest warrants—not instantaneous police pronouncements based on unrest.
The state command has not published a formal list of charges against Sowore, nor revealed evidence of alleged incitement. It remains unclear whether the “wanted” notice is internal or intended for the public.
As of now, Sowore has not been apprehended. He affirmed his intention to seek legal redress and to engage with police leadership to clear misunderstandings. He also denied any intention to incite violence, insisting that his presence at the protest was motivated by activism and solidarity with displaced residents.
In closing, he addressed security forces:
“If my presence at Oworonshoki is deemed a crime, let them show me the law they rely on. I remain ready to defend my rights.”
This episode adds to the discourse on how protests and policing are handled in Nigeria, especially where property demolitions intersect with human rights and activism.
