A police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, has died after he was allegedly knocked down and run over by a motorist during a stop-and-search operation in the Egbeda area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s activities for September.

According to Fatai, the incident occurred along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when officers on routine stop-and-search duty signalled a Lexus ES 350, with registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by 20-year-old Olumide Olusola, to stop.

The commissioner said the driver initially complied but suddenly accelerated as Sergeant Okediji approached the vehicle, allegedly knocking the officer down and dragging him beneath the car for several metres.

Fatai said efforts by fellow officers and passers-by to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful until the suspect was eventually chased and arrested.

Sergeant Okediji sustained multiple fractures and severe head injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His remains have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle involved has been recovered by the police.

However, during a parade of suspects, Olusola denied intentionally causing the officer’s death, attributing the incident to brake failure.

“I did not kill the policeman intentionally. It was due to the vehicle’s brake failure,” he said.

The police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.