A 43-year-old commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, has reportedly died after he was allegedly assaulted by officers of the Nigerian Air Force following a minor traffic-related disagreement along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos State.
The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death.
Details contained in court documents filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama Division, indicated that the deceased was attacked after a dispute involving a vehicle occupied by Air Force personnel.
According to an affidavit deposed to by his brother, Innocent Okpe, the deceased was carrying out his commercial transport business when he was stopped by military officers travelling in a Coaster bus.
The officers allegedly accused him of colliding with their vehicle and demanded compensation for the purported damage.
The affidavit claimed that when Joseph was unable to meet the demand, he was allegedly subjected to a severe beating, with repeated blows directed at his head and face.
Witnesses were said to have intervened to prevent further assault, while some motorists and commercial drivers reportedly pleaded on his behalf.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that concerned bystanders even offered financial compensation in an effort to resolve the dispute and calm tensions at the scene.
After the officers left, the injured driver was reportedly taken to several medical facilities for treatment.
However, he was allegedly unable to secure immediate medical attention before he was eventually taken to a private clinic in Mushin.
He was later pronounced dead on the same day.
A medical report obtained by investigators reportedly attributed the death to severe head injuries, with complications that ultimately resulted in respiratory failure.
The incident was subsequently reported to the police, and the case was transferred from the Ilasa Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba for further investigation.
The deceased is survived by his wife and three children.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she would seek details of the case and provide an update. However, no official response had been issued as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to its spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were not responded to.
The development has renewed concerns among civil rights advocates over allegations of excessive force by security personnel and the need for accountability in cases involving civilians.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.