Residents of Oremeji in the Shasha area of Alimosho, Lagos, have been living in fear after street youths stabbed a Nigerian Air Force officer during a scuffle on Sunday, November 9.
According to community members, the confrontation began on a football pitch when a ball accidentally hit the officer, who was not in uniform at the time. A resident known as Baba explained that the officer reacted angrily, seizing the ball and assaulting the boy who kicked it. Efforts to calm him down failed.
Things escalated when the officer reportedly pulled out a knife, burst the ball, and threatened those around him. In the struggle to restrain him, some boys were injured. Eventually, one of them disarmed him and stabbed him in return. He was rushed to a hospital, and rumours quickly spread that he had died.
Residents say the situation worsened when Air Force personnel stormed the area in search of the attackers. Sola, another resident, claimed officers beat civilians and caused panic. Business owners now close earlier due to fear of reprisals, and many residents avoid certain routes in the evenings.
Eniola, a shop owner, said the people responsible fled the community, leaving innocent residents to bear the consequences. Esther Komolafe added that tear gas was fired during one of the reprisals, causing chaos in the neighbourhood.
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However, the Lagos Police Command disputed reports of the officer’s death. The spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the officer survived and had received medical treatment. He also denied claims that Air Force personnel were harassing residents, stating that community leaders and the Air Force command had resolved the matter.
Attempts to reach the Air Force spokesperson for further comments were unsuccessful.
This incident adds to past tensions between civilians and military officers. In 2021, similar unrest occurred in Oshodi when Air Force personnel moved to avenge a colleague allegedly killed by hoodlums.
