LAGOS POLICE COMMAND CLARIFIES RRS ONE-WAY MOVEMENT, SAYS ACTION WAS OPERATIONAL, CONDEMNS HARASSMENT OF OFFICERS
By Olayiwola Ibrahim // The Lagos State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding a trending video showing a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol vehicle marked ‘RRS Attack 07′ driving against traffic.
According to the Command, the movement of Police vehicles against normal traffic flow is permissible under legally recognised emergency and operational circumstances, especially when officers are responding to distress calls, pursuing suspects, undertaking urgent security operations or carrying out other exigent duties.
In the incident in question, the RRS patrol team led by an Inspector of Police was detailed by the Command’s Control Room following distress calls from individuals trapped in traffic congestion who requested Police intervention to clear the obstruction and restore free flow of traffic.
The Command stated that the RRS team, known for prompt responsiveness, was the closest available formation and immediately responded.
To access the point where the obstruction originated, the team had to navigate through the opposite lane.
The Command noted that traffic congestion in Lagos, if not promptly managed, can escalate to adjoining roads, causing further gridlock, disrupting economic activities and impeding emergency services.
The action was therefore a deliberate operational decision in the interest of public safety and convenience of other road users, not an arbitrary disregard for traffic regulations.
This, according to the Command, is in line with Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which permits an officer of the law driving under emergency or civil protection engagement to disregard directions of a prescribed road traffic sign, subject to exercising due regard for safety of other road users.
The Command however expressed concern over the confrontation, harassment and deliberate obstruction of the officers while carrying out the lawful assignment, saying the conduct and utterances captured in the video raise concerns about possible personal animosity and a deliberate attempt to undermine officers on lawful duty.
It added that deliberate blocking of the road by individuals, denying other motorists access, is unacceptable and constitutes infringement on rights of other road users, and also amounts to obstruction of Police officers in lawful discharge of their duties under Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
While recognising citizens’ rights to express concerns, demand accountability and criticise police conduct, the Command said it will not condone deliberate acts of intimidation, harassment, provocation or obstruction of officers on lawful assignments.
The Command said it remains open to genuine complaints and legitimate public scrutiny, but such must be exercised responsibly and within the law, adding that it will continue to protect citizens’ rights while ensuring personnel are accorded necessary respect and cooperation.
The Command also cautioned social media content creators against deliberately provoking, harassing or obstructing Police personnel for sensational online content or to demoralise officers, stressing that using Police personnel as subjects of orchestrated confrontations for online engagement is unacceptable.
It warned that henceforth, such conduct will not be tolerated and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, reiterated the Command’s commitment to professional, responsive and accountable policing, assuring residents that no effort will be spared in maintaining public order, protecting lives and property and ensuring free movement across the state.
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