A 43-year-old commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, has died after he was allegedly assaulted by officers of the Nigerian Air Force following a traffic-related dispute along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.

The incident reportedly occurred on May 9 and is now under investigation by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

According to court documents obtained by journalists, the officers were travelling in a Nigerian Air Force Coaster bus marked GO 1–14AF when they accused Okpe of colliding with their vehicle. They allegedly demanded N100,000 as compensation for the damage.

An affidavit filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory by the deceased’s brother, Innocent Okpe, stated that Joseph was unable to provide the money. The officers allegedly responded by physically attacking him, repeatedly striking his head and face.

Witnesses reportedly intervened and pleaded with the officers to stop the assault. Some bystanders and fellow commercial drivers also offered to raise N50,000 toward the alleged vehicle damage before the officers left the scene.

After the incident, Okpe was taken to several hospitals but was allegedly denied treatment. He was eventually transported to Charing Cross Clinic in Mushin, where he was pronounced dead at about 5 p.m. on the same day.

A source familiar with the case said the incident was reported immediately at the Ilasa Police Division before being transferred to the SCID for further investigation.

A medical certificate issued by Charing Cross Clinic and signed by Dr. Okechukwu Ogboo listed the primary cause of death as severe head injury, with pulmonary failure recorded as a secondary cause.

Okpe is survived by his wife and three children.

When contacted, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said she would obtain details of the case and provide an update. No official statement had been issued as of the time of filing this report.

The allegation adds to previous accusations of misconduct involving Air Force personnel in Lagos. In March 2025, armed personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja were accused of assaulting a journalist during a confrontation at the headquarters of Ikeja Electric.