A tragic incident has sparked outrage after a group of Nigerian Air Force officers allegedly beat a commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, to death following a disagreement over a minor traffic incident in Lagos.
Joseph Okpe, 43, worked as a commercial bus driver and supported his wife and three children. According to court documents obtained by S24 Television, the incident took place on May 9, 2026, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
Reports show that Air Force officers travelling in a Coaster bus with registration number GO 1–14AF accused Okpe of damaging their vehicle. The officers allegedly demanded N100,000 from him as compensation.
When Okpe failed to provide the money, the officers allegedly attacked him. Witnesses said the officers repeatedly punched him in the face and head. The assault continued until bystanders and fellow commercial drivers stepped in and pleaded for mercy.
Several witnesses reportedly offered N50,000 to settle the dispute and prevent further violence. After the officers left the scene, concerned residents rushed Okpe to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
According to sources familiar with the case, several hospitals refused to admit him. His family and supporters later took him to Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin, Lagos. Doctors pronounced him dead at about 5 p.m. on the same day.
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, signed by Dr Okechukwu Ogboo on May 13, 2026, identified severe head injury as the primary cause of death. The certificate also
listed pulmonary failure as a secondary cause.
Okpe’s brother, Innocent Okpe, filed an Affidavit of Facts before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama. The affidavit details the events that led to the driver’s death.
Authorities at the Ilasa Police Division received the case shortly after the incident. Investigators later transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.
When journalists contacted Lagos State Police Command spokesperson CSP Abimbola Adebisi, she promised to seek details and provide an update. However, she had not released any official statement at the time of publication.
Attempts to reach Nigerian Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame also failed, as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages.
This case adds to previous allegations involving Air Force personnel and civilians in Lagos. In March 2025, armed personnel from the Air Force Base in Ikeja allegedly assaulted a journalist during a confrontation at the headquarters of Ikeja Electric.
As investigations continue, many Nigerians have called for justice for Joseph Okpe and accountability for anyone found responsible.
