Olusegun ARIYO
A police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, has died after he was allegedly knocked down and run over by a motorist during a stop-and-search operation in the Egbeda area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed the incident while briefing journalists on the command’s activities for September.
According to him, the incident occurred along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when officers on routine stop-and-search duty signalled a Lexus ES 350 with registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by 20-year-old Olumide Olusola, to stop.
Fatai said the driver initially complied but suddenly accelerated as Sergeant Okediji approached the vehicle.
He alleged that the suspect knocked down the officer and dragged him beneath the vehicle for several metres despite efforts by fellow officers and passers-by to stop him.
“The suspect was eventually chased and arrested. However, Sergeant Okediji sustained multiple fractures and severe head injuries during the incident,” the police commissioner said.
He added that the injured officer was rushed to a nearby hospital and later referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Fatai, the remains of the deceased officer have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle involved has been recovered by the police.
Speaking during a parade of suspects, Olusola denied intentionally causing the officer’s death, attributing the incident to a mechanical fault.
“I did not kill the policeman intentionally. It was due to the vehicle’s brake failure,” he said.
