A 43-year-old commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, has died after he was allegedly beaten by officers of the Nigerian Air Force following a dispute over a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.
The incident reportedly occurred on May 9 when Okpe, who was working as a commercial driver, was accosted by Air Force personnel travelling in a Coaster bus with registration number GO 1–14AF. According to an Affidavit of Facts filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama Judicial Division, by the deceased’s brother, Innocent Okpe, the officers accused him of hitting their vehicle and demanded ₦100,000 as compensation for the alleged damage.
When Okpe was unable to pay, the officers allegedly assaulted him, repeatedly punching and battering his face and head until he nearly lost consciousness. The affidavit stated that the attack stopped only after passersby and fellow drivers intervened and pleaded with the officers. Some bystanders reportedly contributed ₦50,000 in an attempt to settle the matter before the officers left the scene.
Okpe was later rushed to multiple hospitals but was allegedly denied treatment before he was eventually taken to Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin, Lagos, where he was pronounced dead around 5pm the same day. A source familiar with the incident said the assault occurred shortly after 3pm and that he died within hours despite efforts to save him.
The case was first reported at the Ilasa Police Division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba. A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death signed by Dr Okechukwu Ogboo of Charing Cross Clinic, dated May 13, 2026, listed severe head injury as the primary cause of death and pulmonary failure as a secondary cause.
Okpe is survived by his wife and three children. The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she would look into the incident and provide an update, while the Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
The incident has renewed public concern over allegations of excessive force and assault against civilians by security personnel in Lagos.
... Bus Driver Joseph Okpe Dies After Alleged Nigerian Air Force Assault Over Traffic Dispute in Lagos ... Naijaonpoint.