Lagos Police Arrest Driver Over Death of Sergeant During Stop-and-Search Operation

Lagos Police Arrest Driver Over Death of Sergeant During Stop-and-Search Operation

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old driver, Olumide Olusola, over the death of a police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, who was allegedly knocked down and dragged by a vehicle during a stop-and-search operation in Egbeda, Lagos.

The incident occurred on Saturday, September 26, 2026, along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai.

Briefing journalists on the Command’s activities for September, Fatai said officers had signalled a Lexus ES 350, with registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by Olusola, to stop.

He explained that the driver initially complied but suddenly sped off as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The Commissioner said the driver allegedly knocked down the officer and dragged him underneath the vehicle for several metres, despite repeated attempts by police officers and passers-by to stop him.

The driver was eventually pursued and arrested, while the officer sustained multiple fractures and severe head injuries.

According to Fatai, Okediji was rushed to a nearby hospital and later referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The officer’s remains have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle has been recovered and taken to the police station.

During a brief interview with journalists while being paraded, Olusola claimed that the vehicle’s brakes failed and that he was unable to stop it.

“I did not kill the policeman intentionally; it was due to the vehicle’s brake failure,” he said.

Lagos Police Arrest Driver Over Death of Sergeant During Stop-and-Search Operation