Driver kills Lagos police sergeant during stop-and-search

…Lagos CP: 32 suspects arrested, 43 vehicles, firearms, N2.5m recovered

By Adebola Muili

A police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, was killed in Lagos after a driver allegedly sped off during a stop-and-search operation, knocking the officer down and dragging him underneath his vehicle for several metres.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the operational achievements of the Command in September 2026.

Fatai said the incident occurred on September 26 at about 2:20pm along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when officers on stop-and-search duty signalled a Lexus ES 350, marked FKJ 223 KX, to stop.

According to him, the driver, identified as 21-year-old Olumide Olusola, initially stopped but suddenly sped off as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side.

The CP said the officer was knocked down and dragged underneath the vehicle for several metres despite repeated efforts by police officers and passers-by to make the driver stop.

He said the driver was eventually chased and arrested, while the injured sergeant was rushed to a nearby hospital and later referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

Fatai said Okediji sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries but was pronounced dead on arrival at LASUTH.

His remains, he added, had been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle was recovered to the police station.

The commissioner said the Command arrested 32 suspects during the month for offences including armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing and other violent crimes.

He said the operations also resulted in the recovery of 43 vehicles and two vehicle keys, five pump-action guns, five locally made pistols, 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms and other exhibits.

Other recovered items included N2.5 million cash, a television set, radiator, car jack and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools.

Fatai further disclosed that the Command had commenced another enforcement operation against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, with more than 41 vehicles impounded during an early-morning operation on Monday.

On armed robbery, the CP said police operatives arrested a 32-year-old suspect, Ojo Azeez, during a patrol along Oko Oba Road at about 4am on September 28.

He said Azeez allegedly fled after sighting the police but was arrested after a chase, with a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools recovered from him.

In another robbery case, Fatai said a 29-year-old suspect, Ezekiel Sunday Obi, was arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.

According to him, armed men reportedly arrived at the lounge in a grey Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV on September 26 and robbed the victim of his gold wrist chain and rings.

He said Obi was arrested at about 1am on September 27 at the Toll Gate area of the Lagos-Ogun boundary, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the stolen items.

The commissioner also disclosed the arrest of suspected cultists and recovery of firearms in separate operations across the state.

He said 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were arrested in the Imeke area of Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered.

Fatai said seven of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigation continued to apprehend other members of the group and recover additional arms.

In another operation, police arrested three suspected robbers in Idi-Oro, Mushin, leading to the recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges from a 47-year-old man, Banjo Taiwo, in Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

A locally made Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm ammunition were also recovered from another suspect, 26-year-old Ebuka Benedict, in Olorunsogo, Mushin.

The CP said Benedict also reportedly confessed to membership of the Eiye confraternity, adding that investigation was ongoing.

He further disclosed the arrest of a 15-year-old suspected arms courier in Oshodi, who was allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.

Fatai said one locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from the suspect, while further investigation led to the recovery of another cut-to-size gun and 11 cartridges.

The commissioner assured that the Command would continue to protect personnel lawfully carrying out their duties, while holding accountable any officer whose conduct fell short of the standards expected of a police officer.

He commended the officers and operatives for the breakthroughs and thanked members of the public for providing credible information to the police.

“Security is a shared responsibility,” Fatai said.

“Security is a shared responsibility,” Fatai said, commending police officers and members of the public for their cooperation and provision of credible information.