By 247ureports.com
A Lagos State Police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, has died after being knocked down and dragged beneath a fleeing vehicle during a stop-and-search operation along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, on Saturday, September 26.
What Happened
According to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, who disclosed the incident Monday during a command briefing in Ikeja, officers on stop-and-search duty signalled a Lexus ES 350 (registration FKJ 223 KX) to stop at around 2:20 p.m. The driver, 21-year-old Olumide Olusola, initially complied, but as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, Fatai said the driver suddenly accelerated, knocking the officer down and dragging him underneath the vehicle for several metres, despite attempts by other officers and passers-by to force the vehicle to stop.
Okediji sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His remains have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy, and the Lexus has been recovered and taken to the police station.
The Arrest
Olusola was chased down and arrested shortly after the incident. He remains in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to form part of an ongoing investigation. As of this report, no charges had yet been formally announced.
Command’s Response
Speaking on the incident, CP Fatai said the command would continue to protect personnel carrying out lawful duties while also maintaining accountability within the force where officers’ conduct falls short of professional standards. He urged members of the public to cooperate with security personnel during lawful operations.
The disclosure came as part of a broader September briefing in which the command also reported the arrest of 32 suspects and the recovery of 43 vehicles and firearms, including an unrelated early-morning enforcement operation that impounded more than 41 vehicles over covered number plates and unregistered vehicles.
