The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has maintained that the activist and former presidential candidate, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, remains on the police wanted list.
Jimoh said every lawful measure will be taken to apprehend him.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Jimoh reaffirmed that his earlier declaration stands, following Sowore’s alleged plan to incite public unrest and obstruct major roads in the state.
NewsNGR reports that Sowore, who leads the “Take It Back Movement,” was on Monday accused of ignoring warnings from the police not to mobilise protests over the recent demolition of buildings in the Oworonshoki area.
According to the police, intelligence reports revealed that he and his associates were planning to stage simultaneous demonstrations at key locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” Jimoh stated during the interview, adding that the activist has not honoured the police invitation since the announcement.
The Commissioner revealed that Sowore’s lawyer had reached out to him via text on Monday while he was attending to a riot situation, and the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal for appropriate action.
According to him, it was agreed that Sowore would report at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where the investigation is ongoing.
“The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” Jimoh explained.
“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.”
Defending his authority to declare Sowore wanted, the Lagos Police Commissioner said anyone who disagrees with the move is free to challenge it in court.
Jimoh also dismissed Sowore’s allegation that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered him to be shot on sight, describing it as “a major misinformation.”
Jimoh stated that the Inspector IGP would never issue such an order, describing the claim as both false and mischievous.
No fewer than 100 houses were recently demolished by the Lagos State Government in Oworonshoki, rendering many residents homeless.
A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, recently accused the state government of contempt of court following the demolition exercise, despite a subsisting court order restraining further action.
In a statement issued, Falana said that on October 23, 2025, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, granted an injunction restraining the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from continuing the demolition of buildings in Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension, all within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area of Oworonshoki.
The injunction, he said, was issued pending compliance with the pre-action protocol as stipulated under the High Court of Lagos State (Expeditious Disposal of Civil Cases) Practice Direction No. 2 of 1999.
Falana noted that the court order was duly served on the Lagos State Government and the relevant agencies on October 24, but that the authorities allegedly went ahead to violate it by mobilising over 50 armed policemen and thugs to the area.
According to him, the officials fired teargas to disperse residents protesting the demolition before carrying out another round of destruction, which resulted in the loss of over 100 buildings and the displacement of several families.
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