The Lagos State Police Command has cautioned activist Omoyele Sowore and his supporters against mobilising any form of protest in the state over the recent demolition of buildings in Oworonshoki, warning that such actions would be met with the full force of the law.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued the warning on Monday, while addressing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo axis of the Third Mainland Bridge.
“We want to warn Sowore and his group to stay away from Lagos or face the full weight of the law,” the police chief declared.
Jimoh stated that the command had made massive security deployments across strategic locations in Lagos to prevent any planned demonstrations that could lead to public disorder or traffic disruption.
He described the Third Mainland Bridge as a critical national infrastructure that must not be tampered with, stressing that blocking such a major route would endanger lives and cripple economic activities.
“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. Every day, thousands of people depend on that route for their livelihood and medical emergencies,” he said.
The CP noted that officers had been stationed at key flash points including Maryland, Ojota, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Gbagada, Bariga, Lekki Toll Gate, and other sensitive areas to maintain law and order.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, Jimoh stressed that protests must adhere to due process and must 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 are not protests but deliberate attempts to disrupt public peace. Anyone who engages in such will be dealt with according to the law,” he warned.
Speaking on the Oworonshoki demolition, Jimoh defended the state government’s action, describing the affected structures as illegal buildings that had become hideouts for criminals.
“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.
The police commissioner accused certain individuals of attempting to politicise the issue and exploit it for personal or criminal gain, warning that the command would not allow anyone to use activism as a cover to cause chaos.
“Anyone hiding under activism to cause disorder is complicit in a conspiracy to commit crime. We will not permit that,” he said firmly.
Jimoh assured law-abiding residents of adequate police protection and urged them to go about their daily activities without fear.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to protection, safety, and freedom of movement. We will continue to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful, but criminality under the guise of protest will not be tolerated,” he added.
