A 43-year-old commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, has died after he was allegedly beaten by a group of officers of the Nigerian Air Force following a dispute over a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.
It was learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on May 9 along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where the officers allegedly assaulted the deceased.
Details of the incident were contained in an Affidavit of Facts filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the Maitama Judicial Division and made available to PUNCH Metro on Monday.
According to the affidavit, deposed to by the deceased’s brother, Innocent Okpe, Joseph was carrying out his duties as a commercial bus driver when he was accosted by Air Force personnel travelling in a Coaster bus with registration number GO 1–14AF.
The officers allegedly accused him of hitting their vehicle and demanded N100,000 as compensation for the damage.
When Okpe could not provide the money, the officers allegedly descended on him, repeatedly punching and battering his face and head until he nearly lost consciousness.
It was gathered that the assault only stopped after passersby and fellow commercial drivers intervened and pleaded with the officers.
According to the document, the bystanders also offered to raise N50,000 to compensate for the damage to the vehicle.
After the officers left the scene and continued their journey, Okpe was reportedly rushed to several hospitals but was allegedly denied treatment.
A source familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Okpe was eventually taken to Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin, Lagos, where he was pronounced dead at about 5pm.
“The incident happened sometime after 3pm. He was taken to several hospitals, but they refused to admit him.
“They got to the last hospital around 5pm, and he was pronounced dead there. He died the same day.
“The incident was immediately reported at the Ilasa Police Division.
“The matter is currently being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, after it was transferred from the Ilasa division,” the source said.
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death signed by Dr Okechukwu Ogboo of Charing Cross Clinic, Mushin, and dated May 13, 2026, listed the primary cause of death as “severe head injury,” while the secondary cause was stated as “pulmonary failure until his death.”
Okpe left behind three children and a wife.
When contacted on Monday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she would find out about the incident and provide an update on the matter.
However, she had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.
This is not the first time Air Force personnel have been accused of assaulting civilians, including journalists carrying out their lawful duties in Lagos.
In March 2025, armed personnel from the Air Force Base in Ikeja allegedly assaulted PUNCH correspondent Dare Olawin when they stormed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric, located opposite MITV in Ikeja.
Meanwhile, when contacted on Monday over the May 9 incident, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, neither answered calls nor responded to WhatsApp messages sent by our correspondent. – Punch.
