Police reaffirm Sowore’s wanted status, dismiss claims of ‘shoot on sight’ order

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, says activist Omoyele Sowore remains wanted by the police, insisting that his earlier declaration on the matter is still valid.

Mr Jimoh, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said the police would take “all lawful steps” to ensure Mr Sowore’s arrest and prosecution.

“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” the Commissioner of Police said during the live broadcast.

The police had, on Monday, declared the Sahara Reporters publisher wanted for allegedly “causing a disturbance of public peace and acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.”

Mr Jimoh explained that Mr Sowore’s lawyer had contacted him by text message on the same day the declaration was made, while he was responding to a riot.

According to him, the message was referred to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force for necessary action.

“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.

The Police Commissioner, however, said the activist had failed to honour that arrangement.

“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

.Right to declare Sowore wanted

Mr Jimoh maintained that he had the legal authority to declare the activist wanted, urging anyone who disagreed with the decision to seek redress in court.

He also dismissed suggestions that the declaration was politically motivated, saying it followed standard investigative procedure.

Denies ‘shoot on sight’ allegation

The Lagos police chief described as false Mr Sowore’s claim that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered that he be shot on sight. He said the statement was “a major misinformation” and accused the activist of trying to mislead the public.“I think that is a great misinformation to the general public and to Nigerians at large, which no organisation will take lightly. The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police will never give such an order and has never given such an order,” CP Jimoh said.“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.“So, for him to say that the IGP has ordered that he be shot on sight is a big misinformation and mischievous, which he is known for.”

Mr Jimoh said the police would continue to act within the law to maintain public order and protect citizens’ rights but would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting peace in the state.