THE Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that its Federal Capital Territory Command is investigating the case of a viral video capturing an assault by a federal lawmaker representing Aba North and South Constituency at the House of Representatives, Alexander Ikwechegh, on a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya,
The police, in a statement on its X handle, on Monday, October 28, noted that the driver formally reported the case at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters, prompting an investigation by the command.
The video footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed Ikwechegh assaulting and verbally threatening Abuwatseya, with statements like “I will make you disappear,” “I will tie you up,” and “I will beat you up.”
The driver had asked Ikwechegh to come out and get the snail he was meant to deliver, but this, according to the video, did not sit well with Ikwechegh, who resorted to dubbing the driver ‘disrespectful.’
The legislator appeared visibly angry in the footage, engaging in a heated exchange with the delivery driver before resorting to physical intimidation and vocal threats.
Ikwechegh then went ahead to slap the driver multiple times, noting that he would make him suffer.
The ICIR, however, could not confirm if the lawmaker went further to assault the driver beyond what was disclosed in the viral video.
In the video, the lawmaker was also heard saying the driver should record him and petition the inspector general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The incident has fueled reactions from Nigerians, with calls for sanctions against Ikwechegh for alleged abuse of power.
Many who reacted to the video bemoaned the situation while calling for sanctions against the lawmaker.
Responding, the Force urged the public not to use the office of the IGP as leverage for intimidation.
It emphasised that any attempts to invoke the IGP’s name in such incidents are contrary to the office’s principles of fairness and impartiality.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M