LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — On Nigerian roads, the wail of sirens no longer signals an emergency—it signals privilege, power, and sometimes intimidation. Despite clear laws, non-emergency vehicles—including those of politicians, business magnates, traditional rulers, and foreign convoys—routinely blast sirens to clear traffic, flaunting status rather than responding to crises.
Section 154 (Part XIV) of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, limits siren use to government officials, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue vehicles, and other emergency services. Yet enforcement remains weak, and corruption allows widespread abuse. Drivers of VIP convoys or private security vehicles often impersonate officials, forcing their way through traffic at high speeds, creating panic, and putting ordinary road users at risk.
Officials have acknowledged the problem. A spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said, “We are aware of the abuse of sirens on our roads. Efforts are ongoing to enforce regulations and penalize offenders. The public must recognize that sirens are for life-saving emergencies, not for privilege or intimidation.”
Chinedu Okafor, a Lagos-based traffic analyst, added, “When every convoy uses sirens, it’s impossible to distinguish a true emergency from an empty display of power. This desensitizes citizens and compromises road safety.”
Civil society organizations have also spoken out. Lagos-based NGO, Citizens for Road Safety, called the practice “a blatant disregard for law and public safety,” urging the government to enforce penalties for violators and restore respect for emergency protocols.
Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is often cited as a model for curbing abuse. Between 2007 and 2015, he banned siren use for non-emergency convoys. His presence alone commanded attention, making violators obvious and helping reduce panic on roads.
The public is calling on the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, and state traffic agencies to enforce the law decisively, as is done in other countries. Ending siren abuse is more than a regulatory issue—it is a symbolic step toward fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
As the wail of sirens continues to echo across Nigerian streets, it is clear: the time has come to return sirens to their rightful purpose—saving lives, not signaling privilege.
