Lagos CP Jimoh, Segalink, other Activists Frown at ‘Nuisance Activism’, Agree that Law and Order is Sacrosanct in Lagos, Nigeria
By Oki O Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, and prominent human rights activist, Dr. Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Barr. Bernard Onigah among other activists have agreed that public disruption and violence cannot be permitted in Lagos and across Nigeria in the name of activism. This assertion was made yesterday at the Lagos Command Headquarters, Ikeja when the Nigeria Police and the foremost activist presented a united front against civil disobedience and what they described as “nuisance activism,” National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The Lagos CP again used the opportunity to affirm that Omoyele Sowore remains a wanted person in Lagos. Present during the strategic meeting were the CP, his management team; DC Administration, DCP Khan Salihu, Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders alongside the delegation of the activist.
While CP Jimoh hailed Dr. Segun Awosanya’s historical role in Police reform, the activist, in turn, offered strong public backing for the CP Jimoh’s recent firm actions, including the prevention of protests on the Third Mainland Bridge and the pursuit of a wanted individual.
Dr. Awosanya aka. Segalink widely recognized for his role in the genesis of the #EndSARS reform movement, passionately defended the necessity of maintaining law and order, sharply criticizing those who exploit activism for financial gain or to create chaos. “A lot of people are into activism for what they are going to get from the grants that are going to get, they don’t understand the position of patriotism.”
The activist declared his group’s renewed commitment to supporting the police structure, referencing the devastating cost of previous civil disobedience in Lagos. “We have not yet recovered from the things that have been destroyed. Lawlessness will not be something that will reinforce because somebody has notorious value or nuisance value in our society.”
He concluded by reinforcing the CP’s firm mandate: “The CP that we have today in Lagos is a no nonsense person who will leave zero chance of chaos in our city. Anyone who positions themselves as being above the law will actually be proven to that the law exists.”
CP Jimoh acknowledged Dr. Awosanya as a “vanguard of change” and committed that the Lagos Command has not retreated from police reform efforts, emphasizing the need for public enlightenment and transparency.
However, the CP stressed that Police-civilian dialogue must not compromise national security or critical infrastructure. He vehemently defended the command’s response to the planned protest on the Third Mainland Bridge. “The Third Mainland Bridge is an infrastructure that is built for the taxpayers’ money. A threat to Third Mainland Bridge is a threat to the economy of Nigeria and a threat to all.”
Citing his constitutional mandate (Section 215), CP Jimoh stressed his duty for pre-emptive intervention, referencing that the bridge is “not designed to carry stationary weight” and citing reports of citizens fainting during the previous incident.
Addressing Sowore who was recently declared wanted, the CP reiterated that the status remains active despite public attempts to engage the police, dismissing such efforts as “social media theatrics.”
“I mentioned at various times that the individual is ignorantly arrogant. Because if you are not, I’m not enforcing my own law, I’m doing the work of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
CP Jimoh insisted that the individual should submit himself to the nearest police station, concluding that Sowore “still remains a wanted person in Lagos for acts that can cause mayhem and destruction of public and private property.” The command vowed that Lagos’s billions in investments would not be put at risk by “misguided” actions.
