The Lagos State Police Command has condemned the alleged harassment and obstruction of RRS operatives by a motorist who confronted their patrol team in Lekki over its movement against traffic.
The Command, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, explained that the officers were responding to distress calls from motorists trapped in a traffic gridlock and had been directed by the Command’s Control Room to clear the obstruction.
According to the statement, 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 Command explained that the officers’ action was an operational decision aimed at restoring the free flow of traffic and preventing the congestion from spreading to adjoining roads.
It 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 traffic signs, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.
The statement read, “The movement of Police vehicles against the normal direction of traffic is permissible under legally recognised emergency and operational circumstances, particularly when officers are responding to distress calls, pursuing criminal suspects, undertaking urgent security operations or carrying out other exigent official duties.”
The Command, however, expressed concern over the confrontation captured in the trending video, describing the alleged harassment and deliberate obstruction of the officers as unacceptable.
It further stated that the individuals involved had allegedly blocked the road, denying other motorists access and infringing on their rights to free movement.
“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.
“Such conduct also amounts to obstruction of Police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties according to Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to question police conduct and demand accountability, the Command warned against intimidating, harassing or obstructing officers carrying out lawful assignments.
It also cautioned social media content creators against deliberately provoking or obstructing police personnel to generate sensational online content, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The Command, however, assured residents that it remained open to genuine complaints, constructive criticism and legitimate public scrutiny, provided these were pursued within the confines 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.
One-Way: Police Condemn Harassment, Obstruction of RRS Operatives in Lekki
