After a Nigerian Air Force officer was stabbed during a fight involving local street boys, residents of Oremeji in the Shasha neighborhood of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, were left feeling confused and afraid.
During a visit to the neighborhood on Saturday, our correspondent met with members of the community who reported that tensions increased following a disagreement involving the officer, who was allegedly not wearing his uniform at the time.
The cop got into a fight with some youngsters playing football on Oremeji Street on Sunday, November 9.
Residents said that the incident started after the ball allegedly struck him.
“The ball struck him while the boys were playing,” explained a local known only as Baba. The child who kicked the ball was beaten by him after he became enraged and grabbed it. He punched the youngster again despite everyone’s pleas for him to stop. To prevent him from causing further harm, others intervened.
He went on to say that when the cop saw a throng gathering, he allegedly took a knife out of his pocket, stabbed the ball, and threatened anyone who tried to stop him. According to reports, some of the boys attempting to soothe him were hurt during the process.
“One of the youngsters overpowered him during a scuffle and stabbed him with the knife. His status as a military officer was unknown at the time. He stated, “We later learned he didn’t survive after they hurried him to the hospital.”
Shortly after the incident, Sola, another resident, claimed that Air Force soldiers from the Shasha base assaulted the neighborhood and attacked locals while looking for the youngster and his family.
Since then, there has been fear among people. He claimed, “They returned the following day and the day after, picking some up and beating people.” “Innocent people were being harassed, but those responsible had already left.”
Another local, Eniola, claimed that because of the fear of retaliatory assaults, several stores now close earlier than usual. As Orisumbare approached, the tension increased. On the second and third days, they returned and resumed their beatings. She said, “Those who stabbed him had already left the community.”
Tear gas was allegedly used by the officers during one of the retaliations, according to another statement from Esther Komolafe. “As we drove, we noticed individuals running. As we got closer, we saw that tear gas had been used. Since then, we steer clear of that path in the evening.
However, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi revealed on Monday that the Air Force officer lived, refuting popular reports that the officer had perished.
“After a fight broke out between some people, it was found that the injured guy was an Air Force officer. No one died; he was just hurt,” Adebisi stated.
The Divisional Police Officer attended the area and subsequently verified that the officer had gotten treatment, she continued, even though the issue was not reported to the police station.
“The claim that officers have been disturbing residents is not true,” Adebisi stated in response to accusations of harassment by Air Force personnel. The DPO and local leaders intervened last Wednesday when some of them tried to take revenge. The neighborhood has been tranquil ever since the issue was settled.
Calls and WhatsApp messages to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, were not returned at the time this article was filed, thus attempts to contact him were futile.
