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.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday 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 and made available to PUNCH Metro on Monday.
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.
PUNCH Metro 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.
PUNCH
