The Lagos State Police Command has defended officers of its Rapid Response Squad (RRS) seen driving against the flow of traffic in a viral video, saying they were responding to distress calls to clear a traffic obstruction.
The command said the officers, led by an inspector, were dispatched by its Control Room after motorists trapped in the congestion requested police intervention.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the command explained that the patrol team was the closest available police unit and had to use the opposite lane to reach the source of the obstruction and restore traffic flow.
It said the action was permitted under Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which allows police officers responding to emergencies to disregard certain traffic signs, provided they exercise due care for other road users.
The command, however, condemned the alleged harassment and obstruction of the officers during the operation, accusing some individuals in the video of deliberately blocking the road and interfering with their duties.
It cited Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which prohibits obstructing police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties.
While acknowledging citizens' rights to question police conduct and demand accountability, the command warned against intimidation, provocation and deliberate obstruction of officers.
It also cautioned social media content creators against staging confrontations with police personnel to generate sensational online content, warning that anyone found committing an offence would face the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command's commitment to professional and accountable policing, maintaining public order and ensuring the free movement of people and vehicles across the state.
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