Air Force officers beat Lagos driver dead after minor crash

A 43-year-old commercial bus driver named Joseph Okpe has tragically passed away after allegedly being assaulted by a group of Nigerian Air Force officers following a minor traffic dispute involving their vehicle.

This incident took place on May 9 along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where the officers are said to have attacked the deceased.

Details regarding the incident are outlined in an Affidavit of Facts submitted to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the Maitama Judicial Division.

As per the affidavit, which was sworn by the deceased’s brother, Innocent Okpe, Joseph was performing his duties as a commercial bus driver when he was confronted by Air Force personnel traveling in a Coaster bus with the registration number GO 1–14AF.

The officers allegedly accused him of damaging their vehicle and demanded a sum of N100,000 as compensation.

When Okpe was unable to provide the requested amount, the officers reportedly attacked him, delivering multiple punches to his face and head until he was nearly unconscious.

The assault ceased only after bystanders and fellow commercial drivers intervened, pleading with the officers to stop.

According to the affidavit, the bystanders also offered to collect N50,000 to cover the damage to the vehicle.

After the officers departed the scene and continued on their way, Okpe was reportedly taken to several hospitals, where he was allegedly denied treatment.

A source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, stated that Okpe was eventually taken to Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin, Lagos, where he was pronounced dead around 5pm.

"The incident occurred sometime after 3pm. He was taken to multiple hospitals, but they refused to admit him.

"They arrived at the last hospital around 5pm, where he was declared dead. He died on the same day.

"The incident was promptly reported to 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 from Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin and dated May 13, 2026, was obtained on Monday. It identified the primary cause of death as 'severe head injury,' with the secondary cause noted as 'pulmonary failure until his death.'

Okpe is survived by his wife and three children.

On Monday, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident and provide an update.

As of the time this report was prepared, no update had been received.

This incident marks yet another occasion where Air Force personnel have been accused of assaulting civilians, including journalists performing their legitimate duties in Lagos.

In March 2025, armed members of the Air Force Base in Ikeja were reportedly involved in the assault of PUNCH correspondent Dare Olawin when they invaded the Ikeja Electric headquarters, situated opposite MITV in Ikeja.

Additionally, when approached on Monday regarding the incident on May 9, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, did not answer phone calls or respond to WhatsApp messages from our correspondent.