Police Lament Use of IGP’s Name for Intimidation
A member of the Nigeria National Assembly, Mr Alex Ifeanyi Mascot Ikwechegh has caused public uproar following the release of a video where he threatened to make a Bolt driver disappear.
Nigeria’s social media influencers and human rights activities have denounced the action of the lawmaker, who threatened to deal ruthlessly with a man working to eke out a living for his family.
In the video that has gone viral on social media, Ikwechegh, who represents Abia North and South Federal Constituency, told the hapless driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, that he could make him disappear anywhere in Nigeria.
A human rights group, Take It Back Movement called for the arrest of the lawmaker, whom it described as dishonourable.
“We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of House of Rep member Alex Ikwechegh over the assault of the hustling Abuja Uber driver. The dishonourable Rep member must be asked to explain the number of innocent Nigerians he has caused to disappear without a trace,” the group said in a post on its X account.
A slide of the video footage showed Ikwechegh ranting at the driver, “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.
“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.”
Ikwechegh reportedly refused to pay the driver, saying he wouldn’t give the ‘rat’ his money when slapping him.
“Do you know who I am I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he boasted.
‘Police Detained Me for 2 Hours After My Ordeal’
The driver told Martins Otse, an activist, popularly known as Very Dark Man that the Police at Maitama Station deferred to the lawmaker, who also stormed the station to continue his rant.
“They referred us to crime and I explained what happened. While speaking with the honourable on the phone, the IPO stepped out and said he wanted to investigate the honourable’s house in Maitama.
“They kept me for over two hours behind the counter and was not detained. After two hours, he came back and was quarrelling about why I recorded the video. I asked if there was a part of the law that says I can’t record. He was becoming a threat to me and I had to take evidence.
“They gave me a form to fill and write my statement, while writing the honourable came and was shouting, calling me names. He called me a common bolt driver, a poor man, I have pride. I replied him saying so a poor man can’t speak as a Nigerian? I shouldn’t be treated like a foreigner.
“I left the station around 3.00 and my car is still at the station because they collected it. The honourable was not detained.”
Police Investigating, Frown at the Use of IGP’s Name by Lawmaker
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the report. It said its officers are investigating the matter.
In an X post on Monday, the Police said it is “aware of the incident between a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon Alexander Ikwegh, which took place on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja.
“The FCT Command is actively handling the case following Mr Abuwatseya’s official report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.
“The Police also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the IGP to intimidate others, as such actions undermine the values of impartiality that the ICP’s office upholds.”
