The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, alongside renowned human rights activist Dr. Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Barr. Bernard Onigah, and other civil society leaders, have jointly condemned disruptive and violent protests disguised as activism, declaring that law and order remain sacrosanct in Lagos and across Nigeria.
This unified stance emerged during a strategic meeting held yesterday at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, where the Nigeria Police and leading activists presented a common front against what they described as “nuisance activism.” The event was covered by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
During the engagement, CP Jimoh reaffirmed that Omoyele Sowore remains a wanted person in Lagos, warning that law enforcement will not tolerate actions capable of breaching public peace or threatening critical infrastructure.
The meeting was attended by the CP’s management team, including DCP Khan Salihu (DC Administration), Area Commanders, and Tactical Commanders, alongside the activist delegation.
While commending Dr. Awosanya for his historical role in driving police reform, CP Jimoh emphasized the command’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights while maintaining public safety.
In response, Dr. Awosanya, founder of the #EndSARS reform advocacy, strongly backed the CP’s decisive stance on maintaining order, particularly the recent prevention of protests on the Third Mainland Bridge and the pursuit of wanted individuals.
“A lot of people are into activism for what they are going to get from grants — not because they understand patriotism,” Dr. Awosanya said. “We have not yet recovered from the destruction of past lawlessness. Lawlessness will not be reinforced simply because someone has nuisance value in our society.”
He further declared his group’s renewed commitment to supporting the police structure, stressing that Lagos cannot afford another wave of chaos.
“The CP we have today is a no-nonsense person who will leave zero chance for disorder in our city. Anyone who positions themselves as above the law will learn that the law exists,” he added.
CP Jimoh, in turn, described Dr. Awosanya as a “vanguard of change,” assuring that the Lagos Command remains committed to police reform, transparency, and citizen engagement, while noting that such dialogue must not compromise national security or public infrastructure.
Defending the police’s decision to prevent the planned protest on the Third Mainland Bridge, the CP stated:
“The bridge is a national economic lifeline built with taxpayers’ money. A threat to the Third Mainland Bridge is a threat to the economy of Nigeria and to all of us. My mandate under Section 215 of the Constitution requires pre-emptive action. The bridge is not designed to carry stationary weight, and we even received reports of people fainting during previous incidents.”
On Sowore’s case, the CP reaffirmed that the activist remains wanted for actions deemed capable of inciting unrest.
“That individual remains wanted in Lagos for acts that can cause mayhem and destruction of public and private property,” the CP declared. “Anyone engaging in social media theatrics should instead present themselves at the nearest police station. Lagos’s billions in investments cannot be endangered by misguided actions.”
The meeting concluded with both parties aligning on the principle that activism must operate within the bounds of the law and that citizen advocacy should not degenerate into civil disobedience or threats to public safety.
