Odita Sunday 
Lagos Police Sergeant Dies After Driver Allegedly Drags Him Under Car During Stop-And-Search
By Odita Sunday
A routine stop-and-search operation in Lagos turned fatal when a police sergeant was allegedly knocked down and dragged several metres under a vehicle after its driver suddenly sped off in Egbeda.
Sergeant Johnson Okediji sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries in the incident and later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was referred after receiving initial treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, disclosed the incident during a briefing on the command’s operational achievements for September 2026.
The incident occurred on September 26 along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when officers on stop-and-search duty signalled a Lexus ES 350, registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by Olumide Olusola, male, 21 years, to stop.
According to the police, 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.
Police officers and passers-by reportedly tried to get the driver to stop, but he continued driving until he was eventually chased and arrested.
Sergeant Okediji was taken to a nearby hospital before being referred to LASUTH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His remains have been deposited at Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the Lexus has been recovered by the police.
The death came as the Lagos Command reported a wider crackdown on suspected criminals during the month, with 32 suspects arrested and a range of firearms, vehicles, ammunition and other exhibits recovered.
Among the items recovered were 43 vehicles and two vehicle keys, five pump-action guns, five locally made pistols, 20 live ammunition/cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, vandalised electrical wires, ₦2.5 million cash and suspected criminal charms.
One of the major firearms recoveries followed the arrest of Lekan Jimoh, 32; Oyepeju Olanrewaju, 33; and Olurebi Suleiman, 30, in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
Police said information obtained during the investigation led operatives to Igbogbo, Ikorodu, where they recovered a black pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges from Banjo Taiwo, male, 47 years.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Ebuka Benedict, male, 26 years, at Olorunsogo, Mushin. A locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition were reportedly recovered from his room.
The command said Benedict also reportedly confessed to membership of the Eiye confraternity, although investigations are continuing.
In another operation, 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were arrested in the Imeke area of Badagry.
Police said the suspects, aged between 23 and 49 years, allegedly admitted membership of the group. A Mercedes-Benz, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms were recovered.
Seven of the suspects have been charged to court, while investigation continues into the activities of other suspected members.
The command also reported the arrest of Taiye Majekodunmi, male, 15 years, at Capa, Oshodi, over an alleged attempt to transport firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.
Police said a locally made fabricated Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from him. A further search allegedly led to the recovery of another cut-to-size gun and 11 unexpended cartridges.
In another case, police arrested Ojo Azeez, male, 32 years, during a 4am patrol along Oko Oba Road.
A search allegedly led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a radiator, a jack, an engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools.
The command said investigation would determine the source of the recovered items and the suspect’s possible involvement in other criminal activities.
Police also reported the arrest of Ogunbayo Abdulwahib following an alleged robbery operation involving a group of young men who reportedly travelled from Idi-Oro, Mushin, to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.
According to the command, Abdulwahib led investigators to Muritical Hotel and Suites, Anu Oluwapo Street, Idi-Oro, where ₦2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered from a room he reportedly shared with other members of the group.
The other suspects reportedly fled before the arrival of the police.
In a separate armed robbery investigation, Ezekiel Sunday Obi, male, 29 years, was arrested at the Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ogun boundary.
Police said he was linked to the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, where the victim reportedly lost a gold wrist chain and rings to armed men who arrived in a grey Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects and recover the remaining exhibits.
Meanwhile, police said six suspects were arrested following a distress call over alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property around Ejigbo–Idimu Road.
The suspects were identified as Ayomide Odusanya, male, 18 years; Michael Olushi, male, 18 years; Victor Denis, male, 20 years; Favour Obaji, male, 18 years; and Jamiu Isah, male, 16 years. Two cutlasses and a television set allegedly stolen during the incident were recovered.
The command also reported the arrest of Femi Ishola, male, 35 years, and Daniel Luke, male, 27 years, at Ganyigbo Beach Yard. Police said the two had been on its watchlist over suspected cult activities and reportedly admitted membership of the Eiye confraternity.
In Badagry, police arrested Kole Josu, male, 26 years, a carpenter, over alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance. The command said two victims had made statements alleging that he used the firearm to terrorise members of the community.
Police also recovered a Safira vehicle reportedly taken from its owner and arrested Olatunji Olalekan after an investigation involving intelligence gathering and tracking.
In Epe, Joshua Benard, male, 27 years, was arrested after police responded to a distress call from the Agric area. Building electrical wires suspected to have been stolen were allegedly found in his possession.
The command also intensified enforcement against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, impounding more than 41 vehicles during an early-morning operation.
CP Tijani Fatai said the command would continue to protect officers carrying out their lawful duties while also holding accountable any police personnel whose conduct falls below the standards expected of an officer.
He commended the officers and operatives involved in the operations and thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted the command.
But as the command highlighted its September successes, the death of Sergeant Okediji remained the most sobering reminder of the risks faced by officers on routine duty.
The Commissioner urged Lagos residents to continue providing credible information to the police, stressing that security remained a shared responsibility.
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