The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old driver, Ayoade Idowu, following the death of a Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) official, Sesan Adediji, who was crushed by a vehicle during a routine inspection in Akure, the state capital.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, when the driver drove off after being asked to produce his vehicle documents, hitting the 35-year-old officer.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the suspect had been arrested and detained as investigations commenced.

According to Jimoh, preliminary information indicated that Adediji was on routine patrol with his colleagues when they flagged down a white Mitsubishi van with registration number AGL 992 XX for inspection.

“The driver initially stopped but allegedly drove off when asked to produce the relevant documents, hitting the VIO official in the process,” the police spokesman said.

He added that the officer sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital, where a doctor confirmed him dead.

The deceased’s remains were subsequently deposited in the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

A video of the incident circulating on social media showed the officer trapped beneath the vehicle as residents and his colleagues struggled to pull him out.

An eyewitness, who recounted the incident, said the officer was attempting to stop the vehicle when he was knocked down.

“He was on the road trying to stop the vehicle, but we don’t know what happened. Suddenly, we heard the sound that somebody was knocked down.

"The vehicle rammed over him. By the time people rushed down there, he was in his pool of blood,” the eyewitness said.

Jimoh said police operatives had visited the scene, adding that the case file was expected to be transferred to the Motor Traffic Division for further investigation.

He assured that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate legal action would follow in accordance with the law.

The police command also urged motorists to obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers.

“No road user should endanger the life of another in an attempt to evade routine checks or traffic regulations,” the statement added.