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 gathered 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.
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 further 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.
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