Residents of Oremeji in Lagos were thrown into panic after a Nigerian Air Force officer was stabbed during a fight with local street boys.
During a visit to the area on Saturday, community members told our correspondent that tensions rose following a confrontation with an officer, who was reportedly out of uniform.
The incident took place on Sunday, November 9, when the officer got into a dispute with some boys playing football on Oremeji Street.
According to witnesses, the situation escalated after a crowd gathered around the officer. Allegedly, he pulled a knife from his pocket, stabbed the ball, and threatened anyone who tried to stop him. During the chaos, some of the boys who attempted to calm him reportedly suffered injuries.
“One of the boys eventually overpowered him and used the knife against him. At that moment, no one realized he was a military officer. He was rushed to the hospital, but later we heard he did not survive,” a resident explained.
Another local, Sola, added that Air Force personnel from the Shasha base quickly arrived in the community following the incident. They reportedly assaulted residents while searching for the boy involved and his family.
Residents said fear has gripped the community ever since the incident. According to one eyewitness, the attackers returned over the next two days, assaulting people and forcibly taking some from their homes. “Those who carried out the original attack had already fled, yet innocent residents were still being targeted,” he said.
Eniola, another local, explained that the rising fear has forced many shops to close earlier than usual. “The tension even spread to Orisumbare. On the second and third days, the attackers came back and began beating people again, even though those who stabbed him had already left the area,” she added.
Esther Komolafe shared another account, saying that during one of the reprisals, the officers reportedly fired tear gas. “We were driving when we noticed people running. As we got closer, we realized tear gas had been deployed. Since that day, we avoid that route after evening,” she explained.
Contrary to widespread rumours that the officer had died, Abimbola Adebisi, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed on Monday that the Air Force officer survived.
“There was a fight involving some individuals, and it was later discovered that the injured person was an Air Force officer. He was only injured; no one died,” Adebisi stated.
She added that although the incident was not reported at the police station, the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene and later confirmed that the officer had received medical treatment.
Responding to allegations that Air Force personnel were harassing residents, Adebisi stated, “The claims that officers have been disturbing the community are false. When some officers attempted to retaliate last Wednesday, the Divisional Police Officer, together with community leaders, stepped in. The issue was resolved, and the area has remained peaceful since.”
Attempts to contact the Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were unsuccessful, as calls and WhatsApp messages to his phone went unanswered at the time this report was filed