Lagos police condemn mob attack on RRS officers over one-way driving

By Christopher Oji

The Lagos State Police Command has condemned the mob attack on personnel of its Rapid Response Squad (RRS) who drove against traffic while responding to a distress call, warning that it would not tolerate attacks on officers performing lawful duties.

The Command said the officers were responding to an emergency and had to navigate through the opposite lane to reach the scene of a traffic obstruction.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, stated this while clarifying the circumstances surrounding a trending video showing an RRS patrol vehicle, ‘RRS Attack 07’, driving against the normal direction of traffic.

Adebisi said the movement of police vehicles against traffic was permissible under legally recognised emergency and operational circumstances, particularly when responding to distress calls, pursuing criminal suspects or undertaking urgent security operations.

“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,” she said.

The police spokesperson explained that traffic congestion in Lagos, if not promptly managed, could rapidly spread to adjoining roads, disrupt economic activities and impede access for emergency services.

She said the officers’ action was a deliberate operational decision taken in the interest of public safety and the convenience of other road users, rather than an arbitrary disregard for traffic regulations.

According to her, the action was in line with Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which permits law enforcement officers driving under emergency situations or engaged in civil protection to disregard prescribed traffic signs, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.

The Command, however, expressed concern over the confrontation, harassment and deliberate obstruction of the officers while carrying out the assignment.

Adebisi said the conduct and utterances of some individuals captured in the video raised concerns about possible personal animosity and attempts to undermine officers performing their lawful duties.

She added that deliberately blocking the road and denying other motorists access was unacceptable and infringed on the rights of other road users.

Such conduct, she said, also constituted obstruction of police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties under Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

While acknowledging the right of citizens to express concerns, demand accountability and criticise police conduct, the Command warned against intimidation, harassment, provocation and obstruction of officers on lawful 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,” she said.

The Command also cautioned social media content creators against deliberately provoking, harassing or obstructing police personnel to generate sensational online content or demoralise officers.

It warned that the deliberate orchestration of confrontations with police officers for online engagement would no longer be tolerated, adding that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated the Command’s commitment to professional, responsive and accountable policing.

He assured residents that the Command would continue to protect lives and property, maintain public order and ensure the free movement of persons and vehicles across the state.