A 43-year-old commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, has died after he was allegedly beaten by some officers of the Nigerian Air Force following a dispute over a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.
The incident reportedly occurred on May 9 along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.
Details of the incident were contained in an Affidavit of Facts filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama Judicial Division, by the deceased’s brother, Innocent Okpe.
According to the affidavit, 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 ₦100,000 as compensation for the alleged 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.
The assault was said to have stopped only after passersby and fellow commercial drivers intervened and pleaded with the officers.
According to the document, some bystanders also offered to raise ₦50,000 to settle the alleged damage before the officers left the scene and continued their journey.
Okpe was later rushed to several hospitals but was allegedly denied treatment before he was eventually taken to Charing Cross Clinic, Mushin, Lagos, where he was pronounced dead at about 5pm.
A source familiar with the incident said the attack happened shortly after 3pm and that the victim died the same day.
“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,” the source said.
The matter was initially reported at the Ilasa Police Division before it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
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.
Okpe is survived by his wife and three children.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she would find out about the incident and provide an update.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, was also contacted but did not respond to calls or WhatsApp messages as of the time of filing the report.
The incident has again raised concerns over allegations of assault against civilians by security personnel in Lagos.
The post “Severe Head Injury” — Affidavit Filed In FCT High Court Alleges Air Force Officers Beat Lagos Bus Driver To Death Over Traffic Dispute appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
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