The directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, that Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the States commence arrest of persons caught using sirens illegally is in order. The police boss is right to insist on enforcement of the law guiding use of sirens to ensure orderliness and sanity on our roads.
Hitherto, all manner of public officers and even private wealthy individuals, especially political chieftains, disturb public peace and the smooth flow of traffic with sirens, especially in the country’s major cities. Unrestricted blaring of sirens constitutes major noise pollution that leads to disorderliness and confusion on expressways.
These siren abusers oftentimes cause road accidents because they infringe on the rights of other motorists, and willfully break traffic laws. Attempts to stop this anomaly in the past did not succeed. It is good that the police leadership is revisiting the matter. Although the directive appears routine, the IGP’s renewed interest in this regulation should ginger the police to enforce it more seriously. Already, the IGP has outlined the category of public officers that are allowed to use sirens.
They are the President, Vice President, State Governors and Deputy Governors. Others are the Senate President and his deputy, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his deputy; the Service Chiefs, the IGP, Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of the Army, and First Class traditional rulers.
Anyone that is not on the above list is not entitled to use of sirens and the police will do well to ensure that the order is no longer flouted. Abuse of sirens is a form of indiscipline that should be curtailed. Any directive that can help to reduce chaos and noise pollution in the country is welcome. Sound pollution such as that generated by indiscriminate use of sirens is dangerous to the eardrums and the general health of the people.
Abuse of sirens is a part of the culture of self-aggrandizement in the country that should be condemned. Nigerian motorists need to learn to take their turn in traffic and obey all traffic regulations. A practice that encourages some highly placed persons to disobey traffic regulations will not help the quest for smooth flow of traffic and respect for law and order in the society. This disrespect has, oftentimes, led to body injuries to commuters on the roads.
However, it is not enough for the IG to just make pronouncements on this issue. What is important is that the order is enforced to achieve the desired objective. Even for the officers that are allowed under the regulations to use sirens, we urge that they exercise their rights with great care and circumspection. They need to be mindful of the need to avoid bedlam and chaos on the streets.
We enjoin them to display high sense of responsibility and drive with consideration for other motorists. The authority to use sirens should not be construed as an opportunity to run other motorists or commuters off the roads, or injure members of the public. Motorists, generally, should display high sense of responsibility and ensure that they obey all traffic regulations to the letter. Traffic laws are made for the benefit of the generality of the people.
Abusers of sirens should not be allowed to compound traffic woes on our expressways. The police, who are expected to enforce this law, should do it faithfully. It should not be another excuse to extort those who infringe the regulations, and allow them to go scot-free. Failure to interdict and punish those who flout the regulation will defeat its objective and the law will not have the expected deterrent effect. This should not be allowed to happen.
The society will be better served when traffic laws such as the one against abuse of sirens are enforced.
I thought Siren use is for emergency only. I did not see ambulance, fire truck or police cars in the list. What is the emergency for the traditional ruler. or top police dignatries and military using siren for? Grow up you all.
Pay your men in time and let them have strength to figth crime n stop talking what dosen‘t matter.
The IG should also give a stern warning to the police, because the flouting of this order will start from them. Many at times when the police are in their vehicles they indiscrimately blow the siren on d high ways to disperse the public when they are caught up in any hold up. Check them please. Many of them are law breakers. They even follow one ways when things are too tight for them.It is as bad as that.Well done Mr.IG.
Its a routine diretives which is not aimed at making progress but applause,MD Abubakar will not make any difference.can his men stop the bank’s bullion van? Can they stop Chris Uba and Arthur Eze or other pilot cars that chase and harrase othe road users.the enforcement of tinted glass he inherited has stoped let’s wait and see how far he will go.
Who’s a 1st class traditional ruler? What’s their emergency? …attending council meetings? Now the floodgate is swung open for all manners of EZEs, OBAs, OBONGs, EMIRs, & AMANYENOBOs to fill the air with their noisemakers. Weldon!!
In developed countries, sirens are only heard from emergency service cars like ambulances, red cross services, police, fire fighters etc. Government functionaries seldom use it, but in Nigeria the reverse is the case. Even the IGP hasnt the clear view of the situation. This Nigeria of ours!!!
Wrong police boss, wrong.
Here is the real List…as in normal world.
The Police, Ambulance, All state departments that is for life saving eg Fire service etc, President and his Vice, Senate President and Vice, House of Rep. chief and Vice, Police boss.
Why should governors use siren? Look it is better they don’t so that since the are closer to us the masses, if they don’t discharge their duties well, is easy for us to get them quick on the roads. With siren they drive too fast, too fast for us to get them.
As for the traditional rulers, the olden days traditional rulers never had car. They had wives.And don’t forget if you allow them to use siren they will abuse it cus most of them have five to ten wives. That means if oga is not on the road madam is. Again if two or more madams are on the road at the same time and in different cars…..
Despite the directive,some police officers are still blaring the siren indiscriminately.IG has to warn the CPs to task their subordinate to comply with the order.And those working for emergency(ambulances,fire service etc) should be included.ID don’t think traditional rulers need it.
i think the police leadership are been sentimental and self centred…..how of all this can they not list fire fighters, ambulances, NEMA etc… They have included the people they loot the treasury together to enjoy the use of siren. Let me make this clear to every1, this will not work because its nt the first tym such propaganda will be coming out 4rm the police leadership
Plz of wot use z SIRENS 4 police dignatries?sirens re supposd 2 b usd by emergency evacuators nd 4 everybdy hu tinks he cn use mney 2 get d license.
Pls come to our aide in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital. I have traveled far and wide in this country. I have never seen where they use sirens indiscriminately like it’s done here.
look mr ig why cant u think about ensuregn securty chalgn ahead of u is siren ur problem u didnt talk of hw ur so cal police ofcrs kilg inncnt soul b cous of 2 nra u didnt talk of boko hrm u didn talk as police station dat turn to market even thier headqtrs mr ig is a pity why ar u selfs u only talk of bounc of thief haba think of smtgn els dont dcvs us wt siren mttr u ar in title to talk about no gd rd no scrty no lihgt no gd water u didnt talk hw to deal wt dos big lootas bnk dritr gvmt offcls ar they not more dan dsrt storm i tel u even arm rbbrs hv pity dan dos thife u ar prtctgn so think of smthg good ig not siren
I its very sad,idont know when dis our dearly country we change 4 beter.Now no ambulance, no fire services,even no Police patrol,sometime they my be after a criminal on the high way.But OBAs EMIRs & others, idont blame them bcs noun of there children live in the Country.
Why shld they b allowed 2 use siren at all, what immunity is covering them, let it b removed we put them in that positions to serve us and not 2 intimidate us on d road. Siren is only necessary for ambulances and other emergency purposes. Let our leaders think of good leadership and not siren!
If were are really serious about noise pollution, i think more need to b done in sensitizing the religious houses. There own noise are A1 in disturbing the peace in most neighborhoods.
What is d consequential implications 4 any offender?its not publicly made,this will definitely open gate 4 extortion n won’t work! D issue of police escorts must first be addressed because oftentimes u find out they are inside d erring or
vehicles of unqualified siren status 2 beating d traffic.IGP carry on u will succeed! U started well.just don’t listen 2 d psychophants
Sometimes I wonder if the people that run Nigeria has ever stepped outside of the country or have any “common” sense. Nigeria did not event the siren – the least they should do is to ask what are they for.
Nigeria – what a country!
In port harcourt the case of siren abuse is worsened by the oil coy convoys and security escorts conveying light coloured workers or running errands. This gives them the impetus to most times run against traffic harassing innocent citizens found blocking their ways. Even the police are guilty of running against traffic with no emergency in sight.
I’m a Chieftancy title holder in my village and this list did not include my calibre, hope the IG will re-adjust this list and add my class…Im a local champion in my enviroment and i need to show my stuff.
This bad omen started from our top politician,like wise people at higher class can not seat and watch themselves being humiliated.please our amiable IG,actions always speaks better than words!
Siren use is only made for fire department and medical emergencies in the U.S. But, in nigeria, it is used by thieves
Arm and pen robbers are the ones using siren in this lawless country may God help us
sirens are used for emergencies only. hospitals fire department and police. only on emergency!
don,t tell me nigerian police dosen,t know who sirens are ment for, cos l didn,t see them named.