The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on Monday declared human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted for allegedly inciting public disturbance during protests against building demolitions in Oworonshoki.
Jimoh, who addressed journalists at the community, accused the Sahara Reporters founder of coming to Lagos to “instigate unrest” following the demolition exercise carried out by the state government.
Trouble began earlier in the day when police fired teargas canisters to disperse residents protesting the demolition of their houses, leaving several people injured.
Some demonstrators were also arrested as security operatives attempted to restore order.
According to the police commissioner, there was no justification for the demonstration since the state government had compensated affected residents.
“So far, we have arrested 13 protesters from this community,” Jimoh said.
“He (Sowore) should report at the nearest police station. I, as the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, declare Sowore wanted for the act of causing disturbance of public peace.”
Jimoh accused the activist of planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge as part of the protest, describing it as a move to inflict hardship on Lagos residents.
“I declare him wanted for causing disturbance of public peace and for planning to commit a serious felony by obstructing traffic,” he added.
“We are closing in on him. We learnt he is doing a video in a car and could not come down. Let him come down. He came down in Abuja, why is he afraid in Lagos?”
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and vocal critic of government policies, has recently been vocal against forced evictions and demolition exercises in parts of the country.
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