Driver denies deliberately killing Lagos police sergeant during stop

A 21-year-old driver, Olumide Olushola, has been arrested after a police sergeant was knocked down and killed during a stop-and-search operation in Egbeda, Lagos State, according to the Lagos State Police Command. Police Commissioner Fatai Tijani said the incident happened at about 2.20pm on September 26 along Olugbede Street. Officers had flagged down a Lexus ES 350, registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by Olushola.

Tijani said the driver initially stopped but sped away as Sergeant Johnson Okediji approached the driver’s side. The officer was allegedly knocked down and dragged beneath the vehicle for several metres despite attempts by police officers and passers-by to stop it. The sergeant sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries, the commissioner said.

He was taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His remains were deposited at Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle was recovered by police. Olushola, who was paraded at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Monday, denied deliberately hitting the officer.

He said the vehicle’s brakes failed as he tried to stop and that it subsequently hit another vehicle. The suspect said he had taken the Lexus to a mechanic the previous day after noticing brake problems and had been told that its brake pads were changed. He nevertheless admitted noticing that the brakes were still slipping after buying fuel on the day of the incident, saying he intended to return the vehicle to the mechanic later.

Olushola said he sold phones, gadgets and laptops and expressed regret over the officer’s death. He also said the vehicle belonged to his mother. Tijani said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death were continuing.