The Lagos State Police Command has issued a stern warning to activist Omoyele Sowore and his supporters over plans to stage protests against recent demolition exercises in parts of the state.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, sounded the warning on Monday while briefing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo axis of the Third Mainland Bridge, stressing that any unlawful assembly or attempt to disrupt public peace would be met with decisive action.
Jimoh disclosed that the command had already deployed personnel across strategic locations in the metropolis, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Ojota, Maryland, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Gbagada, Bariga, and the Lekki Toll Gate, to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“We want to warn Sowore and his group to stay away from Lagos or face the full weight of the law,” Jimoh said. “The Third Mainland Bridge is too vital to the Nigerian economy and the safety of lives and property for anyone to think of blocking it. Thousands of people rely on that route daily for work, trade, and emergencies.”
The police chief acknowledged that while the Constitution guarantees citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, such actions must follow due process and not infringe on the rights of others.
“Anyone who wishes to organise a protest must comply with laid-down procedures,” he added. “What we have seen in recent times are not genuine protests but attempts to create public disorder. Anyone involved will be dealt with according to the law.”
Addressing the recent demolition exercise in Oworonshoki, Jimoh defended the state government’s action, describing the affected structures as illegal settlements that had become hideouts for criminals.
“Those areas were being used by hoodlums to launch attacks on innocent citizens,” he said. “The government’s action is justified, and genuine residents have been compensated. This was properly documented and reported by the media.”
The commissioner also accused some individuals of attempting to politicise the demolition to stir public unrest, warning that the command would not condone any act capable of threatening the peace of Lagos.
“Anyone hiding under activism to incite chaos is complicit in a conspiracy to commit a crime. We will not permit that,” he warned.
Jimoh assured law-abiding residents of the state of adequate protection, urging them to go about their normal activities without fear.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to safety and freedom of movement. We will continue to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful. But criminality disguised as protest will not be tolerated,” he maintained.
