Tension as Lagos street urchins stab Air Force officer

CAS Aneke

RESIDENTS of Oremeji, in the Shasha area of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Sunday, November 9, after street urchins stabbed a Nigerian Air Force officer.

Community sources told our correspondent during a visit to the area on Saturday that the incident began after a confrontation between the officer—who was “not in uniform” at the time—and some boys at a football pitch.

A resident identified simply as Baba recounted, “Some boys were playing football on Oremeji Street here in Shasha when the ball hit the man, who was not in uniform.

“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 from causing more harm.352)

“When he noticed a crowd gathering, he brought out a knife from his pocket. He stabbed the ball and threatened that if anyone touched him, he would stab them. In the process, some of the boys trying to hold him back sustained injuries.

“A fight broke out, and one of the boys managed to collect the knife and stabbed him. Nobody still knew he was an officer. They rushed him to the hospital, but we later heard he didn’t survive the injury.”

Another resident, who gave his name as Sola, added, “Air Force officers stormed the area. They beat up some people while searching for the boy and his family. They were from the Shasha base.

“Everyone in the community is now living in fear. From that moment, the whole area has been in panic, and the police are not doing anything.”

Residents have lamented that the incident has continued to cause panic, extending towards the Orisumbare area of the community.

A resident who identified herself simply as Eniola said business owners now close their shops early out of fear of reprisal.