Police arrest Reps member for assaulting, threatening to make driver disappear

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Police has arrested the lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, for assaulting a ride-hailing (Bolt) driver at his residence.

Police spokesperson for the Command, Josephine Adeh, who confirmed Ikwechegh’s arrest said he’s being held at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.

Adeh disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 28, 2024, adding that the driver Stephen Abuwatseya reported the matter to the Command.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwechegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwechegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident.

“After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,” demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the FCT police image maker said.

Nigerians outraged over Ikwechegh’s maltreatment of driver

The Abia lawmaker drew the ire of many Nigerians when footage of the incident recorded by the victim surfaced on social media.

In the video, Ikwechegh threatened to make Abuwatseya “disappear” without facing any consequences.

The Reps member was angered by the driver’s request that he should come out of his house to pick up a package he had ordered from a vendor.

Enraged by the driver’s instruction, the visibly irate lawmaker landed several slaps on Abuwatseya’s face while accusing him of being disrespectful towards him.

Despite the provocative action, the hapless driver maintained his cool and kept asking what warranted the assault.

The footage however showed an unapologetic Ikwechegh insisting that the request for him to come out was disrespectful to his status and, at the same time, threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.

“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,” he stated.

When Abuwatseya demanded the fee for his service, the politician slapped him multiple times, querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.

“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.

Taking to the X platform, the displeased Nigerians insisted that the assault on the driver was an oppression and abuse of power and privilege.

One X.com user, Tweeter_Headmaster, posting as @nosafk, wrote, “The funny thing is that the man told the truth. Nothing will happen. Oppressors na dem be. Imagine how many people have experienced such cruelty from the man. Na who dem catch be thief. Many others are doing worse. We only don’t know. Even many of those under this comment section are worse.”

Another X.com user, Did, posting as @ndidi_patricia, wrote, “A misguided idiot who abused the limited power he was given. What stops him from sending someone to grab the package if he’s too big to pick his own package lol …this country is in deep shit.”