The Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has cautioned drivers against abducting or assaulting law enforcement agents, including police officers, who are carrying out their duties.
He emphasized that drivers must comply with instructions from law enforcement agents, even if they disagree with the contravention.
The PPRO advised that whatever the case may be, drivers are obliged to obey the officers, whether they want to take them to their stations or take over their vehicles.
He stated this on Friday in a four-minute and 27-second video shared on the NPF X account.
He said, “Now, we want to speak on this recent development we’ve been experiencing where our police officers and other law enforcement agents who contravene vehicles—they sit in the vehicle for the purpose of taking it to their offices—but we notice that these drivers always abduct them.
“(They zoom off with them) They take these officers away. It is wrong. It is very, very wrong. Let us avoid certain things because we need to manage a situation like this. Once you have been contravened, please comply with them—not only the police but also other law enforcement agencies.
“We have seen cases where Federal Road Safety Corps officers contravene vehicles and drivers manhandle them. We’ve seen evident cases where state-owned traffic and road agencies contravene vehicles, and drivers beat them and/or take them away. This is not too good.
“Once you have violated traffic law and your vehicle has been contravened, you are to follow them. You are to comply. You are obliged to obey the instructions of these law enforcement officers.
“Don’t abduct our officers. Don’t take them away. Follow them wherever they are taking you—most especially their bases, units, and offices.”
Adejobi also stated that making complaints to appropriate quarters and channels is also important rather than taking laws into one’s own hands.
“And of course, if you notice you are not so comfortable with that—probably because they have gone beyond their boundaries and they have violated the standard operating procedures of their organisations—particularly operatives of the Nigeria Police Force—you have the number of all our (states) PROs.
“You have our social media platforms and handles at your fingertips. Reach out to us to complain, whatever the case may be,” he added.
Also, he spoke on the danger and possible accidents that such an act could portend, which he advised should be avoided.
The FPRO continued, “We have seen cases where police officers and the drivers are struggling with the wheels. We have seen cases where somebody carries law enforcement agents on the bonnet of the vehicle and zooms off with them as if he is a nobody.
“Let us respect them. I know respect is reciprocal. If you notice any of them misbehaving, whether from the police or other law enforcement agencies, please contact the mother agency. They are going to address your matter, but please don’t take the law into your hands.”
