The Lagos State Police Command has noted the trending video involving a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol vehicle ‘RRS Attack 07’, seen driving against the normal direction of traffic and wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command states that the movement of Police vehicles against the normal direction of traffic is permissible under legally recognised emergency and operational circumstances, particularly when officers are responding to distress calls, pursuing criminal suspects, undertaking urgent security operations or carrying out other exigent official duties.
In this particular incident, the RRS patrol team, led by an Inspector of Police, was duly detailed by the Command’s Control Room following distress calls from individuals trapped in the same traffic congestion, requesting Police intervention to clear the obstruction and restore the free flow of traffic.
The RRS team, known for its prompt responsiveness and operational efficiency, was the closest available police formation to the location and immediately responded to the distress calls.
In order to access the point where the obstruction originated and effectively address the situation, the team had to navigate through the opposite lane of the road.
It is important to mention that traffic congestion in Lagos, if not promptly and properly managed, can rapidly escalate and extend to adjoining roads, creating further gridlock, disrupting economic activities and potentially impeding access for emergency services.
The team’s action was therefore a deliberate operational decision taken in the interest of public safety and the convenience of other road users, and not an act of arbitrary disregard for traffic regulations.
This is in line with Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which permits an officer of the law driving a vehicle under an emergency situation or while engaged in civil protection to disregard the directions of a prescribed road traffic sign, subject to the requirement to exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.
The Command is, however, concerned about the confrontation, harassment, and deliberate obstruction of the officers while carrying out this lawful assignment.
The conduct of the individuals, including their utterances captured in the video, raises concerns about possible personal animosity and a deliberate attempt to undermine officers performing their lawful duties.
Furthermore, the deliberate blocking of the road by the individuals, thereby denying other motorists and road users access to the road, is unacceptable and constitutes an infringement on the rights of other road users.
Such conduct also amounts to obstruction of Police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties according to Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
While the Command recognises the rights of citizens to express concerns, demand accountability, and constructively criticise police conduct, it will not condone deliberate acts of intimidation, harassment, provocation, or obstruction of Police officers performing lawful operational assignments.
The Command remains open to genuine complaints, constructive criticism, and legitimate public scrutiny. However, these must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.
The Command will continue to protect the rights of citizens while ensuring that its personnel are accorded the necessary respect and cooperation in the discharge of their lawful responsibilities.
