The Lagos State Police Command has accused motorists of harassing and obstructing its Rapid Response Squad, RRS, officers after a patrol vehicle was filmed driving against the direction of traffic.
The command said the officers were responding to distress calls from motorists trapped in a traffic jam and had to use the opposite lane to reach the source of the obstruction.
In a statement on the trending video involving an RRS patrol vehicle marked ‘RRS Attack 07’, the police explained that the team, led by an Inspector, was deployed by the Command’s Control Room because it was the closest available formation to the scene.
The police maintained that the movement was an operational decision and not a disregard for traffic regulations, citing Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which allows officers responding to emergencies to disregard certain traffic signs while exercising caution for other road users.
However, the command condemned the conduct of individuals who allegedly confronted and blocked the officers, warning that such actions could amount to obstruction of police officers under Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
Describing the alleged conduct as unacceptable, the police said: “The command will not condone deliberate acts of intimidation, harassment, provocation, or obstruction of Police officers performing lawful operational assignments.”
The command added that citizens remained free to question police conduct and demand accountability but insisted that such concerns must be raised responsibly and within the law.
Police defend officers filmed driving against traffic, accuse motorists of harassment