Tajudeen Bakare has been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command after videos of him wielding a pump action rifle and threatening public order in the Surulere area surfaced.
In the video, the man known as Oba Ogboni is heard threatening transport union chieftain Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo on the streets.
On Thursday, Lagos police public relations officer (PPRO) Benjamin Hundeyin issued a statement declaring Bakare wanted.
“Following the emergence of a video earlier this week showing a man wielding a pump action rifle and threatening public peace, the CSP Egbeyemi-led Rapid Response Squad (RRS), working on actionable intelligence, conducted a sting operation on the man’s residence in the Surulere area of the state,” the statement read.
“Found in the suspect’s residence were three pump action rifles, one Beretta pistol magazine, one expended and three live cartridges and a picture frame of the suspect.
“The suspect, Tajudeen Olanrewaju Bakare, narrowly escaped arrest and is hereby declared wanted. Any useful information leading to his arrest would be highly appreciated and treated with utmost confidentiality.
“While appreciating Lagosians for their vigilance and prompt information to security agencies, the Lagos State Police Command once again warns all trouble makers to steer clear of the state as anyone found wanting would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Bakare was one of 48 Yoruba Nation protesters arrested and charged by police for the murder of sachet water vendor Jumoke Oyeleke, who was killed by a stray bullet on July 3, 2022, during a self-determination rally in Ojota.
According to a statement issued by Mr Hundeyin at the time, they were charged before a Magistrate Court in Yaba.
“They were charged for Unlawful Assembly, Unlawful Society and Conducts likely to cause breach of Public Peace.
“However, one of the arrested protesters, Tajudeen Bakare (the popular Ogboni Chief) was charged by the Police for the murder of a Sachet Water Hawker, Jumoke Oyeleke, killed by a stray bullet during the protest.
“The bail granted to all the Protesters was upheld by the Court but that of Bakare was revoked. The Court refers Bakare’s case to the Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) for further advice,” the statement read.
