Brake failure or reckless driving? Lagos driver speaks on police sergeant’s death

By Njideka Agbo

A 21-year old driver, Olumide Olushola, has attributed the death of a police sergeant, Johnson Okediji, during a stop and search operation in Egbeda, Lagos State, to alleged brake failure.

Olushola, who was paraded at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, denied deliberately hitting the officer, claiming that he was struggling to stop the Lexus ES 350 he was driving.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the incident occurred on September 26 along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, when the driver allegedly sped off as the officer approached the vehicle.

The commissioner said Sergeant Okediji was knocked down and dragged for several metres, sustaining multiple fractures and serious head injuries. He was later pronounced dead at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The suspect claimed he had taken the vehicle to a mechanic a day earlier to replace the brake pads but noticed the brakes were still slipping on the day of the incident.

He expressed regret over the officer’s death and said the vehicle belonged to his mother.

The police said investigations were ongoing.

The commissioner also disclosed that 32 suspects were arrested during the period under review, with 43 vehicles, firearms, ammunition, ₦2.5 million and other exhibits recovered.