20-year-old motorist, Olumide Olusola, has allegedly caused the death of a police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, during a stop-and-search operation in the Egbeda area of Lagos State.
The incident reportedly happened on Saturday, September 26, 2026, around 2:20 p.m. along Olugbede Street, according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai.
Fatai made the disclosure while giving an update on the command’s activities for September. He also announced several arrests linked to armed robbery, cult-related activities and other offences, as well as the seizure of vehicles bearing no registration plates or unauthorised number plates.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the sergeant’s death, the police commissioner said officers had flagged down a Lexus ES 350 bearing registration number FKJ 223 KX, which was being driven by Olusola.
According to him, the motorist initially brought the vehicle to a halt but accelerated suddenly as Sergeant Okediji moved towards the driver’s side.
Fatai said the officer was struck and became trapped beneath the vehicle as the car continued moving for several metres. Attempts by other officers and members of the public to get the motorist to stop were unsuccessful at the time.
The driver was later pursued and apprehended by the police. The commissioner said the officer had suffered several fractures and severe head injuries during the incident.
Okediji was first taken to a nearby medical facility before being transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Fatai said the deceased officer’s body had been transferred to the Mainland Hospital Mortuary, where it would be preserved pending an autopsy, while the Lexus was taken into police custody.
When questioned by journalists after being paraded, Olusola maintained that the incident was not deliberate. He claimed the vehicle developed a brake malfunction and that his efforts to bring it under control were unsuccessful.
“I did not kill the policeman intentionally, it was due the vehicle’s brake failure,” he said.
Giving further details of the command’s operations during the month, Fatai said security personnel had arrested several individuals suspected of involvement in armed robbery, cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent offences.
He said the operations resulted in the seizure of weapons, ammunition, stolen property and other items believed to be connected to criminal activities.
The commissioner also disclosed the arrest of a suspect allegedly linked to the robbery of a patron at Ghost and Spirit Lounge on Ekoro Road.
According to him, the police received information that armed men, allegedly carrying an AK-47 rifle, arrived at the Abule Egba lounge in a grey Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV before allegedly taking a gold wrist chain and rings from a male patron.
Fatai said police investigations subsequently led to the arrest of 29-year-old Ezekiel Sunday Obi around 1:00 a.m. on September 27 at the Toll Gate area along the Lagos-Ogun boundary.
He added that detectives were working to apprehend other members of the alleged gang and retrieve the remaining exhibits.
In another operation, the commissioner said police officers on patrol along Oko Oba Road around 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, encountered a group of suspected criminals who attempted to flee after noticing the officers.
A 32-year-old man identified as Ojo Azeez was apprehended following a pursuit, Fatai said.
Police allegedly found a locally manufactured cut-down pistol, a radiator, a vehicle jack, an engine block and a bag containing assorted automobile parts and tools in his possession.
The commissioner said investigations were underway to determine the origin of the recovered items and establish whether the suspect was connected to other offences.
On the enforcement of vehicle registration and number-plate regulations, Fatai disclosed that 43 vehicles had been seized over violations involving covered, missing or unregistered number plates.
He further said the command had arrested other individuals suspected of cult-related activities and the alleged theft of valuables from residents around the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.
Among the items recovered during the various operations were 43 vehicles, two vehicle keys, vandalised electrical cables, ₦2.5 million in cash, five pump-action firearms, five locally manufactured pistols, 20 live rounds or cartridges, 15 spent rounds, two cutlasses and assorted charms suspected to have been used for criminal purposes.
Fatai praised officers attached to the command for their efforts and thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted the police in their operations.
He assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to tackle criminal activities across Lagos State and pursue those suspected of violating the law.
