Police Launch Urgent Probe into Bolt Driver’s Assault Captured in Shocking Video

The Nigeria Police Force has announced an immediate probe into the case of assault and battery of a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh.

The lawmaker, representing Aba North/South Federal Constituency (APGA) was captured in disturbing footage, on Sunday physically and verbally assaulting the driver.

The footage captured by Abuwatseya witnessed the lawmaker threatening to arrest the bolt driver with the police for allegedly disrespecting him.

By disrespect, the lawmaker said Abuwatseya had demanded that he (the lawmaker) come out to receive a package he had ordered, instead of personally handing it over.

Triggered by the driver’s composure, the lawmaker refused to pay for the delivery fare, and went ahead to slap the bolt driver repeatedly, not minding he was being recorded.

Reacting to the situation on Monday, the spokesperson of the Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi said that the police are abreast of the incident that occurred in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Adejobi in a terse post via his X handle (formerly Twitter) said, “The FCT Command is actively handling the case following Mr. Abuwatseya’s official report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.

“The Police Force also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others; as such actions undermine the values of impartiality that the IGP’s office upholds.”

The lawmaker had recently secured his seat following a legal ruling by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, Abia State.

In September 2023, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of the Tribunal ordered that a certificate of return be issued to Ikwechegh after the former holder, Emeka Nnamani, was disqualified over certificate forgery allegations.

The court ruled that Nnamani was not a registered member of his former party, APGA, during the 2015 election.

Nnamani, however, disputes the ruling and called it a fabrication by political rivals and attributed the legal challenge to errors in record-keeping at his alleged alma mater.