By peterside Rejoice
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, of declaring him wanted after officers allegedly failed to carry out a “shoot on sight” order during a protest in Oworonshoki, Lagos.
Sowore, in a statement released on Monday, said the police action followed his participation in a peaceful demonstration against the demolition of houses in the Oworonshoki community.
He stated that despite several attempts to reach the Police Commissioner to clarify the matter, his calls were ignored.
“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 Oworonshoki today,” Sowore said.
“Despite my repeated attempts to contact Commissioner Jimoh, he has not taken my calls. Nevertheless, I plan to meet with him soon to address his declaration,” he added.
Residents of Oworonshoki had staged a peaceful protest on Monday against what they described as the illegal and inhuman demolition of their homes and shops by officials of the Lagos State Government.
Eyewitnesses said the protesters, comprising displaced families and activists, were chanting solidarity songs and demanding an immediate halt to further demolitions and the provision of alternative shelter for affected residents.
The protest, which was led by the Take It Back Movement, turned tense after security operatives arrived and began dispersing the crowd with teargas canisters. Bulldozers continued pulling down buildings as armed policemen stood guard.
According to witnesses, the Lagos Police Commissioner had earlier warned Sowore not to attend the protest, but the activist defied the warning.
“The CP had threatened Sowore last week not to come to Lagos for the protest, but he replied that he would be in Oworonshoki on Monday and he kept his word,” one of the protesters said.
Sowore, who was recently released from detention in Abuja following his arrest during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, said he joined the Lagos rally to show solidarity with displaced citizens.
After leaving the protest ground, the activist went live on his social media handle, alleging that there were plans by the police to eliminate him.
“I suspect the Inspector General gave specific instructions to some policemen to kill me at the protest ground. This is why Nigeria remains in a mess and why outsiders are now talking about saving our country,” he said.
As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegation.
