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A police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, has died after he was allegedly knocked down and dragged underneath a fleeing vehicle during a stop-and-search operation in Egbeda, Lagos.
The incident occurred on September 26, 2026, at about 2:20pm, along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when police officers flagged down a Lexus ES 350, marked FKJ 223 KX, driven by 21-year-old Olumide Olusola.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on the Command’s operational activities for September.
According to him, the driver initially stopped but suddenly sped off as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side, knocking the officer down and dragging him underneath the vehicle for several metres.
Despite repeated attempts by police officers and passers-by to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly continued fleeing until he was eventually chased and arrested.
The officer sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
He was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.
His remains have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle was recovered and taken to the police station.
Reacting to the incident, Fatai said the Command would protect personnel carrying out their lawful duties while ensuring accountability within the police.
“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,” he said.
The CP said the incident occurred amid several operational successes recorded by the Command during the month, including the arrest of suspected armed robbers, cultists and persons allegedly involved in unlawful possession of firearms.
He said 32 suspects were arrested during the period, while 10 firearms, comprising five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols, were recovered.
Other exhibits recovered, according to him, included 20 live ammunition/cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms, 43 vehicles, N2.5 million cash and assorted vehicle parts and tools.
Meanwhile, the Command has arrested a 15-year-old boy, Taiye Majekodunmi, for allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.
Majekodunmi was arrested at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly acting on the instruction of one Samuel to deliver the weapons to a receiver.
Fatai said a search conducted on the teenager led to the recovery of a locally made fabricated Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun.
He said further investigation led detectives to another shotgun and 11 additional cartridges.
The CP said the suspects arrested during the various operations were linked to alleged armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing and other violent crimes.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains steadfast and unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Lagos State through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic crime prevention initiatives and swift responses to emerging security threats,” he said.
In another operation, police arrested 32-year-old Ojo Azeez along Oko Oba Road at about 4am after suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting police operatives.
A search reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing assorted vehicle spare parts and tools.
The Command also arrested 29-year-old Ezekiel Obi over an alleged armed robbery at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.
Police alleged that the armed robbers, reportedly armed with an AK-47 rifle, robbed a victim of gold jewellery before escaping in a Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV.
Another suspect, Ogunbayo Abdulwahab, was arrested over alleged links to a robbery gang operating between Idi-Oro, Mushin and Chevron, Lekki-Ajah.
Police said N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered from a hotel room allegedly shared by members of the gang.
The anti-cultism operation also recorded arrests in Mushin, Ikorodu and Badagry.
In Badagry, 12 suspected members of the Eiye confraternity were arrested, while police recovered a locally made firearm, suspected charms, a Mercedes-Benz and vehicle keys.
Meanwhile, the Command said more than 41 vehicles were impounded during an early-morning enforcement operation targeting vehicles with covered number plates, unregistered vehicles and unauthorised dealer’s number plates.
Fatai warned motorists against violating the law, stressing that covering vehicle number plates makes identification difficult and could undermine police investigations.
“It is unlawful for you to drive your vehicle without a plate number. It is also unlawful to cover your plate number at any point in time,” he said.
The CP also cautioned vehicle dealers against allowing their dealer’s number plates to be used on vehicles belonging to friends or relatives.
“If you are a vehicle dealer, that licence is given to you to be attached to the vehicles you sell, not for you to give out to your friends and their families who are driving on the road,” he said.
Fatai appealed to members of the public to cooperate with police officers carrying out visibility patrols and other lawful duties.
He said the presence of policemen on the streets was part of efforts to prevent crime and protect communities.
“We all believe that if policemen are not on the road, if visibility policing is not in place, nobody, even members of the community, can move from one place to the other without fear,” he said.
The Commissioner noted that police officers were exposed to danger while performing their duties, adding that members of the public should not automatically view police presence as a problem.
“Quite unfortunately, the opinion of the public has not appreciated what the policemen are doing. They have been killed on a daily basis,” he said.
He urged residents to allow officers to perform their duties while reporting any misconduct through appropriate channels.
“Wherever you see policemen, you should be assured that they are posted there genuinely to protect you,” Fatai said.
He commended officers and operatives for the breakthroughs recorded during the month and thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted police operations.
