By Nkechi Alli-Balogun
A few days ago, I had a deeply distressing encounter with a VIO field officer ( name withheld) while travelling. This experience left me shaken, physically unwell, and profoundly disrespected. I was ill at the time, and I communicated this clearly to this officer, but my condition was met with complete indifference by this officer who was bent on humiliating me.
My driver and I were stopped for inspection of documents. From the outset, his conduct was discourteous, my greeting was ignored, and his engagement with us was unnecessarily hostile. He demanded our vehicle documents, which were promptly provided and found to be complete and up to date.
However, upon finding no fault, he requested an additional document, LASDRI, which, to my knowledge, had expired. At this point, despite my ill health, I intervened politely to ask whether there was any grace period and to explain that I maintain strict compliance with all regulatory requirements. I also respectfully informed him that I was unwell and urgently needed to proceed to the hospital.
What followed was both frightening and deeply humiliating.
Despite being visibly unwell and clearly communicating my condition, the officer showed a complete lack of compassion or discretion. We were taken to the VIO station, where my condition deteriorated significantly. I began to vomit, and my driver repeatedly pleaded with the officer to allow us to seek immediate medical attention. His response was that my condition was “none of his concern”. This was shocking, inhumane, and utterly unbecoming of a public servant.
I found myself in a situation where my health and dignity were disregarded in the most callous manner. It was a harrowing experience that left me shaken, fearful, and deeply embarrassed—not only for myself but for the image of Lagos State.
I wish to emphasize that I am not opposed to the lawful duties of the VIO. I respect the importance of their role in maintaining order and compliance. However, there must be room for humanity, discretion, and basic respect for life; especially in situations involving evident medical distress.
In this instance, at the very least, the officer could have issued a citation, seized the relevant documents if necessary, and allowed my driver to take me to the hospital. That even this minimal consideration was denied raises serious concerns about his judgment and fitness for public-facing duty
After the incident to the I made a formal complaint to the Chief VIO in the person of Engr Fashola Akin-George, and something remarkable happened.
Despite the fact that he was out of the country at the time, the matter was handled with extraordinary swiftness and responsibility. I received an acknowledgement and a sincere apology almost immediately, along with a firm commitment to investigate.
This was followed by a formal invitation to the station, where senior officials and the officers involved were all present. The findings confirmed everything I had reported. Leadership apologised unreservedly and took decisive action on the spot:
The supervising officer was immediately removed from active supervisory duty.
The field officer was dismissed from active duty and placed under arrest for endangering a citizen’s life.
Mandatory retraining was fast-tracked across the organisation to prevent any recurrence with a promise to refund the fine we paid
What struck me most was not just the outcome, it was the manner in which it was handled. Even from afar, Engr Akin-George ensured that the institution responded with empathy, accountability, and professionalism. The right structures were in place, and the right people activated them.
In my experience over the years , I have seen enough to know that this level of responsiveness is rare. It would have been easy for this complaint to disappear into a system. Instead, it was treated with urgency and integrity.
I also wish to acknowledge Mr Vaughan and his colleagues, who were the staff members on the ground and whose conduct throughout the process was exemplary. His fairness and professionalism made a real difference.
To the leadership of Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, that made this possible, thank you. You have through this singular act proven that the system still works. You did not just address my complaint. You upheld the dignity of every citizen and reminded us all that accountability, when it is truly embedded in an organisation, works; even across borders.
Dr Alli-Balogun, FNIPR, is the Chairman of Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN)
