Vibrant,
erratic and unapologetic is Lagos. Popular for so many things including
the unnerving traffic and security agencies who man major highways.
Their duty is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and keep Lagos safe.
From the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle
Inspector Office, Federal Road Safety Corporation and the Nigerian
Police; they are responsible for the security of Nigeria’s heartbeat.
If
you are on a visit to Lagos, you are bound to encounter a traffic
officer. It is unavoidable. To ensure you stay on the right side of the
law, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1hotel booking portal shares 6 ways to keep your record clean in Lagos.
Have your complete vehicle documents
This
is perhaps the easiest way for motorists to be delayed by the police in
Lagos. They know that many Nigerians do not have their complete
documents and they take advantage of this and randomly stop cars. But if
they encounter someone with all their documents, they are terrified that they start making demands which are not backed by law. At the end the policeman will just say Oga, carry your wahala dey go! Only the photocopy of your documents.
Communicate in English
Do
you know why many traffic officers are scared of Lawyers? Because
lawyers know their constitutional rights and can also speak big grammar. Persons
who are familiar with the traffic police know that they prefer to
communicate in vernacular. It is a lacuna you should exploit. When he
speaks vernacular, reply in English. You will be amazed about how quick
he waves you away but not after checking your papers.
Show some respect and be formal
Everyone
deserves respect. No less the police. If you do not, they will not
hesitate to delay or ‘deal’ with you for the whole day. This is because
just a handful of Nigerians appreciate the police. As a caveat, do not
be overly respectful as they will take you for a ride. In summary, be
formal, keep a straight face and smile intermittently.
Speak with a superior on ground
When
a situation is getting out of hand, you should speak to the superior
officer on the ground. The superior officer may be more understanding.
If this does not work, you can take the name and number of the police
officer or their vehicle and make a complaint. You can take advantage of
their twitter handle to make complaints. The Nigerian Police complaints
handle is @PoliceNG_CRU.
Do not offer or give’bribes’
Offering
or giving a bribe is not the best way to wriggle yourself out of an
encounter with a police officer as offenders are now being punished
under the corruption charge. Sometimes you have to be patient to see
through the situation. In the end, it will be resolved.
Ogunfowoke Adeniyi | |
Travel/Technology Writer | |
Mobile: +2348090747241 Skype: Sleeksavvy | |
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