Lagos Police defend RRS officers driving against traffic

The Lagos State Police Command has defended Rapid Response Squad (RRS) officers who were filmed driving against the flow of traffic. The explanation follows the circulation of a viral video showing an RRS patrol vehicle, marked ‘RRS Attack 07’, navigating the opposite lane.

Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai stated that the officers were responding to distress calls from motorists trapped in heavy traffic congestion. The command noted that the patrol team, led by an inspector, was the closest available unit and was dispatched to clear the obstruction and prevent the congestion from spreading to adjoining roads.

Citing Regulation 158 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, the command clarified that police officers responding to emergencies or engaged in civil protection are permitted to disregard prescribed road traffic signs, provided they exercise due regard for the safety of other road users.