Residents of Oremeji in Shasha, Alimosho LGA, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Sunday, November 9, after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officer was stabbed during a confrontation with street youths, sparking widespread fear across the community.
Community sources told reporters that the incident began at a local football pitch, where the officer—not in uniform at the time—attempted to seize a ball that had accidentally hit him. According to a resident who gave his name as Baba:
“Some boys were playing football on Oremeji Street when the ball hit the man. Nobody knew he was an officer. He tried to seize the ball and beat the boy who kicked it. People begged him, but he punched the boy, and others around tried to restrain him. He then pulled out a knife and threatened anyone who approached him. A fight broke out, and one of the boys managed to stab him.”
Baba added that the injured officer was rushed to the hospital, though initial reports had erroneously claimed he had died. Another resident, Sola, described the aftermath:
“Air Force officers stormed the area, reportedly assaulting some residents while searching for the boy and his family. Everyone is now living in fear, and even the police have not intervened.”
Residents from nearby Orisumbare confirmed that business owners have started closing shops early due to fear of reprisals. Eniola, a local shop owner, said:
“We have been living in fear since the incident. Officers came back on the second and third day to assault and pick people up randomly. The people who committed the act fled, yet innocent residents were being punished.”
Esther Komolafe recounted that tear gas was fired by Air Force personnel the day after the incident, causing chaos and prompting residents to avoid certain routes in the evenings.
Contrary to rumours circulating in the community, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the officer is alive. He explained:
“There was a fight, and the injured person happened to be an Air Force officer. He received treatment and is alive. The claim that Air Force officers harassed residents is untrue. The DPO, with community leaders, intervened, and the matter was resolved. The area has been peaceful since then.”
Efforts to reach NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, for comment were unsuccessful.
This is not the first clash between civilians and military officers in Lagos. In 2021, a similar incident occurred in Oshodi, when NAF personnel reportedly stormed the area following the alleged mobbing death of an officer.
