Sowore Accuses Police Of Political Targeting After Lagos Authorities Declare Him Wanted Over Protest Allegations

 

Nigerian human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has responded to the declaration by the Lagos State Police Command naming him a wanted person. The outspoken activist claimed that the police are deliberately targeting him after what he described as a failed attempt to ambush him earlier in the day.

The declaration, issued by Lagos Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh, stated that Sowore and several others were under investigation for allegedly planning to cause disruption and obstruct vehicular movement on the Third Mainland Bridge. The alleged protest was reportedly linked to public outcry over recent demolitions at Oworonshoki, which have displaced several residents and sparked tension in the area.

Sowore, however, rejected the claims and accused the police of fabricating charges to intimidate and silence him. He argued that the entire episode mirrors events from his past, recalling a similar situation that occurred during his student activism at the University of Lagos in the 1990s.

According to his statement on Facebook, Sowore recounted how in 1994 the then-Lagos Police Commissioner James Danbaba, in collaboration with the university authorities, allegedly attempted to have him killed through violent campus gangs. He said the attack failed, leading to his being declared wanted alongside other student leaders who were subsequently arrested, charged with armed robbery, and expelled from the institution.

The activist also reminded the public of the fate of Danbaba, claiming that the former commissioner was later arrested alongside Major Al-Mustapha for their alleged roles in aiding the late General Sani Abacha’s regime in attacks against opposition figures such as Kudirat Abiola and Alex Ibru. Sowore noted that Danbaba eventually died “a miserable death,” implying that those who misuse power eventually face consequences.

Drawing a comparison between that era and the present, Sowore accused the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of treading a similar path of repression. He stated that police officers were dispatched to ambush him, but the operation failed, prompting the authorities to issue a wanted notice as a cover-up.

In his post, Sowore wrote, “I was informed that he dispatched police officers to ambush me today. When this attempt failed, they declared me wanted.” He described the police move as politically motivated and aimed at deterring his continued activism against injustice and corruption in Nigeria.

The activist also expressed frustration that his efforts to reach the Lagos Police Commissioner for clarification had been ignored. He emphasized his willingness to meet with the authorities to address the situation peacefully, insisting that he has committed no crime. Sowore further claimed that the state’s actions form part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and criminalize legitimate civil agitation.

Observers have noted that Sowore’s declaration as wanted marks another chapter in his long-standing confrontations with state institutions. As the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and founder of Sahara Reporters, he has often been at the center of controversies involving protests, government criticism, and alleged attempts to destabilize public order. His supporters maintain that these accusations are politically charged and designed to weaken his influence ahead of future political engagements.

Civil rights groups have begun reacting to the situation, warning that the police must not misuse their authority to intimidate activists or violate citizens’ rights to free expression. They also called for transparency in handling the case, urging both sides to engage in dialogue rather than confrontation.

The Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue further clarification on the alleged ambush or the specific charges against Sowore. For now, the activist insists he remains undeterred, vowing to continue speaking out against what he describes as “systemic oppression and abuse of power.”

Sowore’s defiance underscores his long-standing reputation as a fearless critic of the Nigerian establishment. His latest encounter with law enforcement highlights the persistent tension between activism and state power, raising questions about the space for dissent in Nigeria’s democratic landscape. Whether the issue escalates or is resolved through dialogue, it has once again placed Sowore at the center of a political storm that tests the boundaries of freedom and authority in the country.