Most encounters with the police in Lagos are routine: a checkpoint, a question, papers checked, on your way. Some are not. Knowing who you are dealing with, what you must show and what your rights are makes both kinds shorter and safer.
Who might stop you
- The Nigeria Police Force - the police proper, federal, in black.
- LASTMA - the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, in maroon and yellow, for traffic offences.
- The FRSC - the FRSC, federal, for road safety and documents on the highways.
- The Vehicle Inspection Service (VIO), for roadworthiness.
- KAI - Kick Against Indiscipline, Lagos State’s environmental and street enforcement.
Uniformed officers should be able to identify themselves. Note names, numbers and where you were stopped.
At a checkpoint
- Stay calm and polite. Turn on the interior light at night, keep your hands visible, and answer what is asked.
- Carry your documents - your driver’s licence and the vehicle’s papers if driving, and ID.
- Do not hand over your car keys or leave the car unless asked to step out.
- Do not pay cash “to settle” anything. A genuine fine is paid through an official channel and comes with a receipt.
If you are arrested
The Constitution, section 35, gives every person who is arrested the right to:
- Be told why, in writing, within a day, in a language you understand.
- Remain silent until you have spoken to a lawyer of your choice.
- Be brought before a court within a reasonable time - which the Constitution defines as one day where there is a court within forty kilometres, and two days or longer only where there is not.
And under the Police Act 2020:
- You cannot be arrested over a debt or a broken contract. A civil dispute is for the courts, not the police - though people try to use them for it.
- Nobody can be arrested in your place, and you cannot be arrested in someone else’s. Holding a relative until a suspect turns up is unlawful.
Police bail is free
Bail at a police station is free. The Nigeria Police Force says so on posters in its own stations. You may be asked for a surety - someone to stand for you - but not for money.
If something goes wrong
- Call a lawyer, or someone who will find you one, immediately.
- The Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) takes complaints about officers’ conduct by phone, WhatsApp and social media.
- The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender gives free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Write down everything - names, numbers, times, places, witnesses - as soon as you can.