A tanker driver’s assistant was yesterday beaten unconscious in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria by men of the Nigerian Air Force over the refusal to “settle” them with N100 at a check-point.

The incident occurred around 5pm at the check-point under the bridge near 1 Mech Div in Kawo.

An eyewitness who gave his name as Alhassan told News Express: “An argument ensued when the tanker driver refused to settle them. He and his boy insisted that they have exhausted their money at the last check-point.

“It got out of control when the officer started beating the boy to pulp, which made the driver to run away.

“Motorists refused to assist the officers in their attempt to get them to stop and take the unconscious boy to hospital.

“The aggrieved tanker drivers immediately blocked the Kawo road in protest of the incident.”

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations at the nearby 1 DIV HQ, Colonel Usman Kukasheka, did not respond to call and text message sent to his number.

•Photo shows Chief of Air Staff, Alex Badeh.