The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has defended his decision to declare activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, wanted. He recently insisted that the action was taken within his constitutional powers to maintain public order.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Jimoh revealed that his order is not against the law, and he did it to prevent a planned “violent protest” in Lagos.
According to him, security operatives had to move quickly after tracking posts allegedly made by Sowore, which he claimed indicated plans to mobilise protesters to block the Third Mainland Bridge.
He stated that the police had to take preventive measures by cordoning off parts of Lagos and arresting 13 suspects linked to the protest.
“I have the right to declare him wanted. Any person who says I don’t have such a right should go to court.
I don’t just declare (Sowore) wanted. When he posted something on his X handle, and it’s there for people to verify, that he had just taken a bath in Abuja, and the next point is Lagos, to block the Third Mainland Bridge.
And we were well prepared. We cordoned off the entire area where he’s designated to come and conduct these violent protests. And we ensured that we made alternative arrangements for people to use,” he said.
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Jimoh further noted that his actions are guided by the need to ensure public safety, protect lives and property, and avert chaos in the state.
He, however, described reports saying that the Inspector-General of Police also declared Sowore wanted as “mischievous.”
“I have the right under the Constitution to prevent crime from occurring, to prevent anybody that wants to take us into the house, to cause mayhem across the country.
The IGP, I say without any doubt, has not given such an order. And he has not given it not only to me, to virtually all the police institutions across the country,” he added.
