The widow of a commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, who allegedly died after being assaulted by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway in Lagos, has appealed to the Federal Government for justice and support, saying her family has been abandoned since an initial condolence visit by military representatives.
Speaking about the painful experience, the grieving mother of three said officials of the Nigerian Air Force visited her family shortly after her husband’s death, expressed sympathy and assured them of support. However, she alleged that since the visit, no further contact has been made and none of the promises made to the family has been fulfilled.
According to her, her late husband was the family’s sole provider, responsible for meeting all household needs and ensuring their children’s welfare. His death, she said, has left the family struggling to cope emotionally and financially.
She explained that although the military delegation gave her N200,000 during the condolence visit to assist with feeding the children, she has not received any additional assistance or communication from the authorities since then.
The widow said she had initially been encouraged by the assurances she received during the visit, believing that her family would not be left to face the tragedy alone. She expressed disappointment that the promises appeared to have ended with the condolence visit, leaving her uncertain about the future of her children.
She also spoke about the emotional impact of the incident on her family, revealing that her children have continued to ask questions about their father. According to her, the youngest child, who is five years old, has struggled to understand the loss and often cries because he misses his father. Her other children, aged 10 and 14, have also found it difficult to come to terms with the tragedy.
Appealing for government intervention, she urged the relevant authorities to support the education and welfare of her children, noting that their father had been solely responsible for their upbringing before his untimely death.
She said ensuring that the children remain in school and have the opportunity to build a better future would be the greatest assistance the family could receive.
Recounting the events surrounding the incident, the widow said she and her husband left home together on the day of the tragedy. While she went to visit a relative, her husband departed for work as usual, unaware that it would be the last time they would see each other.
Later that evening, she received a phone call informing her that her husband had been involved in an accident. Shocked by the news, she immediately contacted members of his family before making efforts to get to the hospital.
According to her, the late hour and the difficulty in securing transportation delayed their journey, as many drivers were unwilling to travel at night due to security concerns and fear of police checkpoints.
While they were still trying to reach the hospital, she remained in contact with the attending doctor, pleading that everything possible be done to save her husband’s life. Unfortunately, only a few minutes after their conversation, the doctor called back to inform her that he had passed away.
She described the moment as one of the most devastating experiences of her life, saying she struggled to believe the news until she visited the hospital the following morning and saw her husband’s lifeless body.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that personnel allegedly connected to the incident had been taken into custody while investigations were ongoing. The military also stated that both civil and military authorities were handling the matter to establish the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death.
As investigations continue, the widow has renewed her appeal for justice, accountability and sustained support for her family, expressing hope that those responsible will be held accountable and that her children will not be left to bear the burden of losing their father alone.
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