Refrain From Using IGP’s Name To Intimidate People, NPF Warns

On Monday, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) informed Nigerians to stop using the office or the name of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate others.

According to the police, using the IG’s name or office could undermine the values of impartiality that the office upholds in the country.

The Force, in a post via its official X.com handle, made this known while reacting to an assault on an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh.

It was reported that a viral video emerged on social media showing the lawmaker verbally and physically assaulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.

In the video, the visibly angered member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency 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.

He said, “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear from 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 you that I am a big brother. I will 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.”

In the X post, the Force stated that it is aware of Sunday’s incident and that the Federal Capital Territory Police Command is handling the case following the driver’s official report.

The post reads, “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.”