The Lagos State Police Command has warned activist Omoyele Sowore and his supporters against staging any protest in the state over the recent demolition of buildings in Oworonshoki, saying such actions would be met with the full weight of the law.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued the warning on Monday while briefing 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 deployed officers to key locations across the city to forestall any planned demonstration that could disrupt traffic or threaten public safety.
According to him, the Third Mainland Bridge is a critical national asset that must not be obstructed under any circumstance.
“The bridge is too vital to the Nigerian economy and the safety of lives and property for anyone to think of blocking it,”
he said.
“Every day, thousands of people depend on that route for their livelihood and medical emergencies.”
He added that security operatives have been strategically stationed at major flashpoints, including Maryland, Ojota, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Gbagada, Bariga, Lekki Toll Gate, and other sensitive areas to maintain order.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, the commissioner emphasised that such rights must be exercised responsibly.
“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,”
he warned.
“Anyone who engages in such will be dealt with according to the law.”
Speaking further, the police chief defended the Oworonshoki demolition, insisting that the affected structures were illegal and had become 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 explained.
Jimoh also accused certain individuals of trying to politicise the demolition for personal gain, warning that the police would not tolerate anyone hiding under activism to create unrest.
“Anyone hiding under activism to cause disorder is complicit in a conspiracy to commit crime. We will not permit that,”
he said firmly.
The commissioner assured Lagos residents of continued police protection and urged 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 that Lagos remains peaceful, but criminality under the guise of protest will not be tolerated,”
he added.
Meanwhile, security patrols have been intensified around Oworonshoki.
