Residents of Oremeji in the Shasha area of Alimosho, Lagos State, were thrown into panic after a Nigerian Air Force officer was reportedly injured during a violent confrontation sparked by a street football game.
According to community members, the incident occurred on Sunday, November 9, when the officer—who was in civilian clothing—reacted angrily after a football struck him. A witness known simply as Baba said the officer attempted to seize the ball and assaulted the boy who kicked it.
“He wasn’t in uniform, so nobody knew he was an officer,” Baba explained. “People begged him to calm down, but he punched the boy. When others tried to restrain him, he brought out a knife, burst the ball, and threatened to stab anyone who touched him. In the struggle, some boys were injured.”
A fight broke out, and one of the youths managed to wrestle the knife from the officer and stabbed him. He was rushed to a hospital, sparking rumours that he had died from his injuries.
Sola, another resident, claimed that soon after the incident, Air Force personnel from the nearby Shasha base stormed the area.
“They beat up some residents while looking for the boy involved and his family,” he said. “Since then, fear has taken over the whole community. People are scared, and there’s been no visible intervention.”
Residents reported that the tension spread to nearby Orisumbare, with business owners closing early due to fear of retaliation. Eniola, a shopkeeper, said many residents remained fearful even days after the incident.
“Air Force officers reportedly returned on the second and third days to harass people. Those responsible had already fled, so innocent people suffered,” she said.
Another resident, Esther Komolafe, described how military personnel allegedly fired tear gas during a reprisal visit.
“We saw people running, and when we got to the scene, we found out tear gas had been fired. The area has been tense since then, and many of us avoid passing through in the evenings,” she recounted.
However, contrary to widespread rumour, the Air Force officer did not die. A security source confirmed that he survived the attack and received medical treatment. The source added that although the initial fight was not formally reported, officers visited the scene and later traced the injured officer.
The source also dismissed claims of ongoing harassment by Air Force personnel, stating that a potential retaliation was halted through the intervention of local police leadership and community elders. Senior Air Force officials were reportedly involved in discussions that helped restore calm.
Residents say the area has gradually returned to normal, though many remain wary as investigations continue.