Stephen Abuwatseya, a cab driver assaulted by Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from Abia State, has shared harrowing details of his ordeal, including alleged hostility from police for capturing the incident on video. Abuwatseya, who recorded Ikwechegh threatening to make him “disappear” over a delivery dispute, found himself subjected to intimidation by both the lawmaker and police officers at the Maitama station, Abuja.
Recounting his experience, Abuwatseya stated that a simple delivery turned hostile after Ikwechegh allegedly began insulting him for not hand-delivering a package of snails to his side. “He started calling me names—‘stupid,’ ‘mad,’ ‘fool’—and demanded I bring his package to him directly,” said Abuwatseya. The driver asserted his right to refuse this level of disrespect, a response that reportedly provoked further threats from the lawmaker, who vowed to lock him in a generator house.
Following the heated exchange, police officers arrived and detained Abuwatseya, taking him to the Maitama Police station. According to Abuwatseya, the investigating police officer (IPO) criticized him for recording the altercation, raising concerns about a citizen’s right to self-protection. “The IPO was furious, asking why I recorded the video, as if I had no right to document evidence. I explained that his threats made me feel unsafe,” said Abuwatseya. He was then detained behind the counter for over two hours while the IPO visited Ikwechegh’s residence for further inquiry.
Despite Abuwatseya’s explanation and evidence of Ikwechegh’s threats, the lawmaker faced no immediate repercussions. In contrast, Abuwatseya’s car remains impounded at the station, and he was released in the early morning after enduring more verbal abuse from the lawmaker, who labeled him a “common Bolt driver” and mocked his socioeconomic status.
This incident has sparked discussions on the use of police resources to intimidate civilians and raises questions about accountability in cases involving lawmakers and public servants. As Abuwatseya’s account gains traction, many are calling for an investigation into both Ikwechegh’s conduct and the police’s response to the assault report.
