Widow Of Driver Allegedly Killed By NAF Officers Makes Demand

The widow of a commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, who was allegedly beaten to death by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway in Lagos, has accused the military of abandoning her family after an initial condolence visit.

Naija News reports that the widow, Grace Joseph, said she had not heard from representatives of the Air Force since they visited the family and promised support.

Okpe died a few hours after he was allegedly assaulted by some officers following a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the officers involved in the incident had been detained.

Ejodame said, “The Nigerian Air Force is aware of the reported incident and is deeply saddened by the loss of life.

“Upon receiving information on the matter, the personnel suspected to be involved were immediately taken into custody, and the case is currently under investigation by the appropriate civil and military authorities.

“The NAF has also extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and visited them to express sympathy and support during this difficult time.”

Widow Laments Abandonment

However, speaking in a telephone interview with Punch on Wednesday, Grace said the assurances given by the Air Force during the visit had not been fulfilled.

“He was the breadwinner. The Air Force officers came to visit us, and the way they spoke gave me hope. I was encouraged by what they told us.

“But after they left, everything changed. I have not heard from them again. My husband was the one feeding and taking care of the family, and now he is gone.

“When they came that day, they spoke in a way that made me happy. But after they left, they changed. I don’t know why. I have not seen them again, and I do not know the reason,” she said.

The mother of three said her children had continued to ask about their father since his death.

“The children have been asking about their father, especially the youngest one. Since the day my husband died, he has been crying because he misses his father.

“My youngest child is five years old. My daughter is 10 years old, and my first child is 14 years old,” she added.

Grace said Air Force representatives gave her ₦200,000 during the condolence visit to support the feeding of the children, but had not contacted her since then.

“They gave me ₦200,000 when they came. They said it was for me to use and feed the children. Since then, I have never received another call from them.

“I feel very sad about it. I really do,” she said.

Widow Seeks Govt Help

The bereaved widow appealed to the government to assist with the welfare and education of her children.

“What I want the government to do for me is to help me train my children and support their education. Their father was the one responsible for them and took care of all their needs.

“I want the government to take responsibility and help ensure that the children can continue their education and have a future,” she said.

Recalling the incident, Grace said she and her husband left home at the same time on the day he died, with him going to work while she went to visit her sister.

She said she later received a call after 8 p.m. from a woman who informed her that her husband had been involved in an accident.

“That night, I received a call after 8 p.m. The woman who called asked if I was Joseph’s wife. I said yes, and she told me that my husband had been involved in an accident. I was shocked.

“I immediately called my husband’s elder brother and informed him that someone had called to say my husband had been involved in an accident,” she said.

Grace said the caller later informed her that her husband was at a hospital in Mushin, but the family could not immediately get transportation because it was late.

“My husband’s brother and I began communicating with the doctor. We pleaded with him to take care of my husband because we could not get there immediately due to the late hour.

“About three to five minutes after we spoke with the doctor, he called back and told me that my husband had died.

“The following morning, I went to the hospital with some people who assisted my family and me. When I got there, I saw my husband lying on the bed,” she said.