Residents of Oremeji in the Shasha area of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, were thrown into panic after street youths stabbed a Nigerian Air Force officer on Sunday, November 9.
Community members told our correspondent during a visit on Saturday that the incident began when the officer—who was not in uniform—got into a confrontation with some boys playing football on a community pitch.
A resident known as Baba said the ball accidentally hit the officer, who then seized it and attempted to beat the boy who kicked it.
“Nobody knew he was an officer,” he explained. “People begged him to calm down, but he punched the boy. When others tried to restrain him, he pulled out a knife, burst the ball, and threatened anyone who approached. Some boys got injured trying to hold him back.
“A fight broke out, and one of them managed to take the knife and stabbed him. They rushed him to the hospital, and we later heard he didn’t survive.”
Another resident, Sola, said Air Force personnel later stormed the community to hunt for the boy involved and his family.
“Officers from the Shasha base invaded the area. They beat people and arrested some. Everyone has been living in fear since then, and the police aren’t doing anything,” he said.
Residents said the tension has spread to neighbouring Orisumbare, forcing business owners to shut down early.
Eniola, a shop owner, said, “Since the attack, Air Force officers returned on the second and third day, harassing people and picking random residents. Those responsible have fled, yet innocent people are suffering.”
Another resident, Esther Komolafe, said the military fired tear gas during a reprisal raid the following day.
“We saw people running as officers fired tear gas. The area has remained tense, and we avoid that route once it gets dark,” she said.
However, police dismissed claims that the officer had died. Lagos Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, told PUNCH Metro that the victim survived.
“There was a fight, and the injured person later turned out to be an Air Force officer. He is alive and has received treatment. The matter wasn’t reported, but the DPO visited the scene and confirmed the officer’s condition,” Adebisi said.
He also denied allegations of harassment by Air Force personnel, noting that community leaders and military authorities had resolved the matter.
“Last Wednesday, when some of the officer’s colleagues attempted to retaliate, the DPO intervened. The Air Force commandant was also involved in a round-table discussion. The area has been peaceful since then,” he added.
Attempts to reach Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame for comments were unsuccessful.
This is not the first clash between civilians and military personnel. In 2021, Premium Times reported a similar incident in Oshodi after an Air Force officer was allegedly mobbed to death by hoodlums.