Stop-And-Search Turns Deadly As Driver Allegedly Knocks Down, Drags Lagos Sergeant To Death

Toyyibat Qasim

A routine stop-and-search operation in Lagos State has turned fatal after a police sergeant, identified as Johnson Okediji, was allegedly knocked down and dragged underneath a vehicle for several metres before sustaining injuries that led to his death.

The incident occurred on Saturday, September 26, along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, during a police stop-and-search operation, according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani.

Tijani disclosed the incident on Monday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

The commissioner said officers conducting the operation had signalled a Lexus ES 350, with registration number FKJ 223 KX, to stop.

According to him, the driver initially complied with the instruction but allegedly accelerated as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The officer was reportedly knocked down and dragged beneath the vehicle for several metres despite attempts by other police officers and passers-by to get the driver to stop.

Tijani said Okediji sustained multiple fractures and severe head injuries in the process.

The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital before he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The commissioner said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The Lexus involved in the incident was also recovered by the police, while the driver, identified as 21-year-old Olumide Olusola, was arrested after a police chase.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to form part of the ongoing police investigation.

Tijani said the command would continue to protect police personnel carrying out their duties lawfully, while stressing that officers would equally be held accountable where their conduct fell short of professional standards.

“The Command will continue to protect our personnel who are lawfully carrying out their duties, just as we will continue to hold accountable any personnel whose conduct falls short of the standards expected of a police officer,” the CP said.

The commissioner appealed to motorists and other members of the public to cooperate with security personnel during lawful operations, stressing that public cooperation remained essential to effective policing.

The incident comes as the Lagos State Police Command intensifies enforcement operations targeting vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles.

Tijani disclosed that more than 41 vehicles were impounded during an early-morning enforcement operation, with further checks ongoing across the state.

He said the command would sustain proactive and intelligence-led policing in its efforts to prevent crime and improve security in Lagos.

The commissioner also commended police officers for their commitment to duty and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies.

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