Sowore Reacts to Being Declared Wanted by Lagos Police
Omoyele Sowore has responded to being declared wanted by the Lagos State Police, alleging that the move follows a failed attempt to ambush him. On social media, Sowore recounted a similar incident from 1994, writing: “In 1994, then-Lagos Police Commissioner James Danbaba, in connivance with the Vice-Chancellor and authorities at the University of Lagos, orchestrated an attempt on my life using campus gangs. When this attempt failed, he declared me wanted after violently arresting all the student union leaders and falsely charging them for armed robbery. They also expelled us from UNILAG. Danbaba was later arrested alongside Major Al Mustapha for his role in aiding General Sani Abacha in several deadly attacks on opposition figures including Kudirat Abiola and Alex Ibru. He died a miserable death years later!” Sowore said Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, appears to be “following a similar dangerous path.” He claimed that officers were sent to ambush him earlier today and, when the attempt failed, the police issued the wanted notice. The Lagos State Police said Sowore is wanted in connection with plans to disrupt public peace and obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge amid protests over demolitions at Oworonshoki. Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh stated that Sowore and others are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the unrest. Describing the declaration as politically motivated, Sowore noted that repeated attempts to reach the police commissioner went unanswered. He stressed that he intends to meet with the commissioner to resolve the matter. The development has once again highlighted the tense relationship between Sowore, a pro-democracy activist, and Nigerian authorities, drawing widespread attention across the country.
