The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old driver, Ayoade Idowu, over the death of a Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) official, Adediji Sesan, who was allegedly hit by the driver while attempting to evade a routine vehicle inspection in Akure.
The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, Akure, the state capital.
The police said Sesan, 35, was on routine patrol with his team when he flagged down a white Mitsubishi van with registration number AGL 992 XX for inspection of its vehicle particulars.
According to a statement by the Command, Idowu, a resident of Gbogi Street, Akure, initially stopped but allegedly drove off when asked to produce the relevant documents, hitting the VIO official in the process.
The victim sustained serious head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital, where a doctor on duty confirmed him dead.
His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The police said the driver had been arrested and detained, while preliminary investigations were ongoing.
Police operatives have visited the scene, and the case file is expected to be transferred to the Motor Traffic Division for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, expressed condolences to the family, colleagues and associates of the deceased over the incident.
Ohagwu assured the public that the command would conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that appropriate legal action was taken in accordance with the law.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with authorised traffic enforcement officials.
It warned motorists against endangering the lives of others in attempts to evade routine checks or traffic regulations.
