A citizen advocacy group, Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum (SMEF), has condoled with the Ondo State Government over the death of a Vehicle Inspection Officer, Mr. Sesan Adediji, 35, who was killed while on duty in Akure.
Adediji, a Chief Vehicle Inspection Assistant Officer, was knocked down along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, Akure, on Friday, October 9, 2026, while performing his lawful duty.
According to the Ondo State Agency for Transport and the Police, the officer had flagged down a white Mitsubishi van with registration number AGL 992 XX for routine inspection. The driver, Ayoade Idowu, 37, allegedly drove off when asked to produce vehicle documents and hit the officer, causing fatal head injuries.
He was rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed dead. The driver has been arrested and detained at the Motor Traffic Division.
In a statement, SMEF commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Hon. Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi, Permanent Secretary Mr. Tope Lebile, and the entire Vehicle Inspection Service personnel in the state and across the federation.
SMEF described the death as painful, avoidable and irreparable, condemning evasion of genuine enforcement. The group said every motorist must stop for and cooperate with authorized enforcement officers including VIO, FRSC and Police.
The group also condemned proliferation of illegal roadside revenue collections and roadblocks, noting that the Joint Tax Board harmonization and the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 have banned roadside revenue collection and checkpoints.
It said the illegality creates confusion where motorists can no longer differentiate between genuine enforcement agencies and fake collectors parading as government agents.
SMEF commended the Ondo Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu and his officers for prompt arrest and investigation, and called on motorists nationwide to obey lawful traffic instructions and maintain valid vehicle particulars.
It also urged state governments to sustain clear distinction between authorized traffic enforcement and illegal revenue touts.
