Susan Abayomi
The Lagos State Police Command has defended officers of its Rapid Response Squad (RRS) seen driving against the direction of traffic in a viral video, explaining that they were responding to an emergency.
The command said the patrol vehicle, identified as ‘RRS Attack 07’, was dispatched by its Control Room following distress calls from motorists trapped in a traffic congestion who requested police intervention to clear the obstruction.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, explained that the patrol team, led by an Inspector of Police, was the closest available formation to the affected location.
According to the command, the officers had to navigate through the opposite lane to reach the source of the congestion and restore the free flow of traffic.
It maintained that the decision was an operational measure taken in the interest of public safety and to prevent the traffic situation from spreading to adjoining roads and disrupting economic activities.
To justify the action, the police cited Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which permits law enforcement officers responding to emergencies or engaged in civil protection to disregard prescribed traffic signs, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.
However, the command condemned what it described as the harassment, confrontation and deliberate obstruction of the officers during the operation.
It also maintained that deliberately blocking the road and preventing other motorists from accessing it infringed on the rights of other road users.
The police further cited Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, warning that obstructing officers carrying out their lawful duties constitutes an offence.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to question police conduct, demand accountability and express criticism, the command urged members of the public to exercise such rights responsibly and within the confines of the law.
The command also cautioned social media content creators against deliberately provoking, harassing or obstructing police personnel to generate sensational online content, warning that anyone found culpable would face legal consequences.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional and accountable policing, assuring residents of continued efforts to protect lives and property, maintain public order and ensure the free movement of people and vehicles across the state.
