The Police Force also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has cautioned Nigerians against threatening people with the name of the Inspector General of Police.
The warning was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, October 28, 2024.
The police spokesman was reacting to a now-viral video which showed a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, assaulting and threatening to arrest an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force 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 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.”
In the video which was recorded on Sunday by Abuwatseya, Ikwechegh accused him of disrespecting him in his house by asking him to come and collect an item he was asked to deliver to the lawmaker at Lavida Court, behind the Farmers Market, Maitama, Abuja.
He then proceeded to slap him and threatened to call the IGP of Police. He also added that he could make the driver “disappear and nothing will happen.”
“You came into my house to disrespect me, I will deal with you,” he threatened.
Going further, he added, “Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you can do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh tell them I slapped you.”
“I just slapped you, please slap me back. How dare you, do you know who I am?”