The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has issued a stern warning to activist Omoyele Sowore and others against mobilising protests over recent demolition exercises in the state.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Iyana-Oworo section of the Third Mainland Bridge, Jimoh said the police command had made massive security deployments across Lagos to prevent any planned demonstrations that could lead to public disorder.
“We want to warn Sowore and his group to stay away from Lagos or face the full weight of the law.
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,” he said.
The police chief stressed that the command would not tolerate attempts to block major highways or disrupt public peace, noting that officers had been deployed to strategic locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Maryland, Ojota, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Gbagada, Bariga, Lekki Toll Gate, and other key areas to ensure safety.
Jimoh clarified that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, protests must follow due process and not infringe on the rights of others.
“Anyone who wishes to organise a peaceful protest must follow laid-down procedures. What we have seen in recent times is not protest but attempts to disrupt public peace. Anyone who engages in such will be dealt with according to the law,” he warned.
Commenting on the Oworonshoki demolition, the police commissioner defended the government’s action, describing the cleared areas as illegal structures and criminal hideouts.
“Those areas were being used by criminals to launch attacks on innocent Nigerians. The government is justified in clearing them. Genuine residents have been compensated, and this was documented and covered by the media two days ago,” he said.
Jimoh also accused some individuals of trying to exploit the situation for political or criminal purposes, warning that the police would not allow activism to be used as a cover for chaos.
“Anyone hiding under activism to cause chaos is complicit in a conspiracy to commit a crime; we will not permit that,” he added.
He assured law-abiding residents of adequate protection, urging them to go about their normal activities without fear.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to protection, safety, and freedom of movement. We will continue to ensure Lagos remains peaceful, but criminality under the guise of protest will not be tolerated,” Jimoh said.
