Emergency duty allows police to drive against traffic — Official

CP Tijani Fatai. Credit: X | LagosPoliceNG

The Lagos State Police Command has said the National Road Traffic Regulations permit police officers responding to emergencies to drive against the normal direction of traffic, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.

The Command made this clarification while explaining the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) patrol vehicle, marked ‘RRS Attack 07’, driving against the flow of traffic.

According to the police, the officers were responding to distress calls from motorists trapped in a traffic congestion and had been dispatched by the Command’s Control Room to clear the obstruction.

In a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, said the patrol team, led by an Inspector of Police, was the closest available police formation to the location and had to navigate through the opposite lane to reach the source of the obstruction.

“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 statement read.

The police explained that the decision to drive against traffic was an operational measure aimed at preventing the congestion from spreading to adjoining roads and disrupting economic activities.

“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,” the Command stated.

Citing Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, the command said: Police officers driving under emergency situations or engaged in civil protection are permitted to disregard the directions of prescribed road traffic signs, subject to the requirement to exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.

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The command, however, condemned the alleged harassment and obstruction of the officers during the operation.

It expressed concern over the confrontation and utterances of individuals captured in the video, saying their conduct raised concerns about possible personal animosity and attempts to undermine officers performing their lawful duties.

“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,” the statement added.

The police further maintained that obstructing officers in the lawful discharge of their duties constitutes an offence under Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

While acknowledging the right of citizens to question police conduct, demand accountability and offer constructive criticism, the Command warned against intimidation, harassment, provocation and deliberate obstruction of officers.

“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,” it said.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ rights while ensuring that its personnel receive the necessary cooperation in carrying out their lawful responsibilities.