Amnesty International has condemned Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh for allegedly threatening Omoyele Sowore, the prominent activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters. The human‑rights group described the police’s actions as a blatant attempt to intimidate Sowore and said that declaring him “wanted” constitutes an abuse of power.
According to Amnesty International, the commissioner’s statements demonstrate a disregard for human rights and undermine the right to peaceful protest. The organization urged Jimoh to withdraw his remarks immediately, emphasizing that his primary responsibility is to facilitate and uphold the right to peaceful assembly. Nigerians, like citizens in any democracy, have a constitutional right to express themselves and demonstrate peacefully without fear of harassment or intimidation.
The incident highlights concerns about how Nigerian authorities manage public dissent and protect human‑rights defenders. Amnesty’s criticism comes amid broader tensions between the government and civil‑society activists in Nigeria, and the organization has consistently advocated for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in the country.
The Lagos State Police Command has not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s criticism. Nevertheless, the episode has sparked worries among human‑rights advocates and journalists about the potential consequences of speaking out against the government. Sowore, a well‑known critic of the Nigerian government, has previously faced harassment and intimidation for his activism and journalistic work.
The situation underscores the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and assembly in Nigeria. As the country continues its democratic development, it is essential that authorities respect and uphold citizens’ fundamental rights to express themselves and participate in public discourse. The international community will be watching developments in this case closely, hoping that the Nigerian government will take steps to ensure that human rights are respected and protected.
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