Police Probe Abia Reps Member Who Slapped, Threatened E-Hailing Driver 

A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, might be in for trouble as the Nigeria Police Force has started investigation over his alleged brutality of an e-hailing driver who went to his (the lawmaker) residence in Abuja for delivery.

Ikewechegh, representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency in Abia State was captured in a viral video slapping the Bolt driver identified as Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya for telling him to come out and collect the snail the driver delivered to his residence.

In the video, the visibly angered lawmaker repeatedly insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance member also threatened to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences. When the driver requested the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times, querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.

The lawmaker slapped the driver three times and hurled insults at him for asking him to come to his car to collect what he (the driver) was there to deliver. Ikwechegh also threatened to make the driver disappear from Nigeria, saying nothing would happen if he did.

The lawmaker refused to pay the driver and boasted that he is a member of the House of Representatives. He broke the driver’s phone and tore his clothes for “disrespecting him”.

He also threatened to beat the driver and lock him in his generator house to make him suffer.

Abuwatseya also accused the parliamentarian of shredding his clothe during the attack and summoned all members of his association to come to his rescue.

Meanwhile, most Nigerians on social media have been lampooning the lawmaker, describing him as tyrannical and a disgrace to the National Assembly.

Reacting, the Nigeria Police Force has said its FCT Command is handling the matter after the driver reported it.

The force warned members of the public against using the Inspector General of Police to intimidate people.

The statement posted on the force’s social media page read, “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 upholds.”