By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

A 35-year-old Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) official, Adediji Sesan, has died after he was allegedly knocked down by a driver who attempted to evade a routine vehicle inspection in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The driver, identified as 37-year-old Ayoade Idowu, has been arrested and detained by the police over the incident, which occurred at about 9.30am on Friday along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, Akure.

The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement, said preliminary information indicated that Sesan was on routine patrol with his team when they flagged down a white Mitsubishi van, with registration number AGL 992 XX, for inspection of its vehicle particulars.

According to the police, the driver initially stopped but allegedly drove off when asked to produce the relevant documents, hitting the VIO official in the process.

Sesan reportedly sustained serious head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital, where the doctor on duty confirmed him dead.

His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

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

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, colleagues and associates over the loss.

Ohagwu assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that appropriate legal action would follow in accordance with the law.

The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with authorised traffic enforcement officials, warning against actions that could endanger lives in attempts to evade routine checks.

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