A 37-year-old driver, Ayoade Idowu, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command following the death of a Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) officer, Sesan Adediji, during a routine vehicle check in Akure, the state capital.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9, along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, where the 35-year-old officer was reportedly on patrol with his colleagues.

The police said preliminary information indicated that Adediji and his colleagues had flagged down a white Mitsubishi van, with registration number AGL 992 XX, for inspection of its vehicle documents.

According to the police account, the driver initially stopped but allegedly drove off when the officer asked him to produce the relevant documents, hitting Adediji in the process.

The officer reportedly sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty.

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

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that Idowu had been arrested and detained while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continued.

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 the deceased’s family and colleagues that a thorough investigation would be conducted and appropriate legal action taken in accordance with the law.

The police also urged motorists to obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers, warning against actions that could endanger lives while attempting to evade routine checks.