Panic In Shasha As Street Clash Leaves Air Force Officer Injured

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Residents of Oremeji in the Shasha area of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on November 9 after a confrontation between local youths and a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officer escalated into violence. The officer, who was reportedly not in uniform at the time, sustained stab injuries during the altercation.

Multiple residents who spoke with Punch Metro recounted that the incident began on a neighbourhood football pitch, where the ball allegedly struck the officer.

A community member, Baba, said tensions rose after the officer attempted to seize the ball and confront the boy who kicked it.
“Some boys were playing football when the ball hit the man. Nobody knew he was an officer,” he said. “People begged him, but he punched the boy, and others tried to restrain him.”

According to Baba, the situation worsened when the officer allegedly produced a knife.
“When he saw a crowd gathering, he brought out a knife. He stabbed the ball and threatened to stab anyone who touched him. In the process, some of those trying to hold him back got injured,” he explained.

A fight reportedly broke out, during which one of the boys overpowered the officer and stabbed him.
“They rushed him to the hospital, and we later heard he didn’t survive,” Baba claimed.

Another resident, Sola, stated that NAF personnel later stormed the community in search of those involved.
“Air Force officers invaded the area from the Shasha base. They beat some people while looking for the boy and his family,” he said, adding that the community had been unsettled since the encounter.

Shops Shut Early as Fear Spreads Across Neighbouring Communities

Residents said panic spread to nearby areas, including Orisumbare, forcing many shop owners to close their businesses earlier than usual.

A trader, Eniola, said, “We have been living in fear. After the officers returned on the second and third day to assault and arrest people randomly, those responsible had already fled. Innocent residents are the ones suffering.”

Another resident, Esther Komolafe, alleged that military personnel fired tear gas during one of the reprisals.
“We saw people running. The officers had fired tear gas. The area is still tense, and we avoid that route after evening,” she said.

Police: Officer Did Not Die

However, the Lagos State Police Command has dismissed the widespread claims that the injured Air Force officer died from the attack.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed on Monday that the officer is alive and receiving treatment.
“There was a fight between individuals, and they later realised the injured person was an Air Force officer. He was only injured; nobody died,” Adebisi said.

He added that while the matter had not been formally reported, the Divisional Police Officer had intervened and traced the injured officer, confirming his survival.

Adebisi also denied allegations of widespread harassment by Air Force personnel.
“The claim that Air Force officers are disturbing people is not true. There is nothing like that,” he stated.

He noted that an attempted reprisal by some NAF personnel was halted through the intervention of the DPO, community leaders, and the Air Force command.

“The commandant of the Air Force also joined a round-table discussion, and the area has been peaceful since then,” Adebisi added.