The Nigerian police have declared the first President of the Supreme Body of Ogboni Association Worldwide, Tajudeen Olanrewaju Bakare wanted after videos emerged of him wielding a pump action rifle and threatening public peace in the Surulere area.
This was contained in a statement released on Thursday, February 2, 2023, by the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to him, the Ogboni leader linked Bakare to the deadly clash in Surulere.
The statement read: “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, carried out a sting operation on the residence of the man in the Surulere area of the state.
“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 troublemakers to steer clear of the state as anyone found wanting would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Bakare was one of the 48 Yoruba Nation protesters arrested and charged by the police for the murder of sachet water seller Jumoke Oyeleke who died from a stray bullet during a self-determination rally in Ojota on July 3, 2022.
A statement released by Mr Hundeyin back then said they were charged before a Magistrate Court sitting 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“The bail granted to all the Protesters was upheld by the Court but that of Bakare was revoked.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.
Recall that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed during the visit of PDP governorship candidate Abdulazeez Adeniran a.k.a. Jandor.
There was open use of firearms and other weapons during the fight that left at least two persons dead last Friday.
