The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that on no account should any motorist violate traffic rules; “except if the person is a security agent in an emergency situation or a member of any of the Nigerian emergency agencies”.
Speaking in Abuja Monday during the 4th Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Force, Jimoh Moshood, said that Nigerians should bear with federal agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Fire Service (FFS), as the agencies usually break traffic rules in order to answer to emergency situations.
The event, with the theme: “Our Core-values: an invaluable springboard for national development”, had in attendance entrepreneurs and resource persons including: Soji Apampa; CEO of Business Integrity International, Bukky Shonibare; Leader of Girl Child Africa, Hamzat Lawal; Organizer of Connected Development, among other speakers.
Replying to a question by a participant on why the police never obey traffic rules and are seemingly above the law, Moshood said that officers of the Force usually engage in pursuit of criminals and that they are not expected to obey traffic rules in such a situation.
He, however, recommended a psychiatric evaluation for “ordinary” Nigerians who break traffic rules, saying that there is no type of emergency situation should warrant motorists to break traffic rules, as it would mean putting the lives of other Nigerians at risk.
He said: “It is not only security personnel that violate traffic. It is a cultural norm, as many Nigerians break traffic rules for no just cause. Nevertheless, people who break traffic rules should be taken for psychiatric evaluation, because they are not officers in an emergency situation.
“Law enforcement agencies are also not permitted to violate the law, except in emergency situations. Officers of fire service and NEMA are permitted by law to violate traffic rules when going for rescue operations. Even policemen in pursuit of criminals should not be expected to obey traffic rules.”
