Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver who was assaulted by Nigerian lawmaker Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh in Maitama, Abuja, on Sunday, October 27, shared his account of the incident and the events that followed.
Abuwatseya, from Delta State, spoke with social critic Martins Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, describing the sequence leading up to the assault.
He explained, “I received a request from Bolt around Maitama. I was closing my shift but accepted the request because it seemed straightforward.
“The passenger indicated I was to pick up a package, which turned out to be a snail, at a garden. When I arrived at the man’s house, I informed him, and he told me to hand it to his security. I parked and waited, but he didn’t respond to my greeting.”
After several unanswered greetings, Abuwatseya called the lawmaker again, who answered with hostility, saying, “Are you stupid? Are you mad? Bring my stuff to me.” Abuwatseya, who felt the response was disrespectful, replied, “Sir, I’m only doing my job. Normally, I wouldn’t need to bring it to you directly.” This response appeared to anger Ikwechegh further, who allegedly responded, “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
Following the recorded confrontation, Abuwatseya claims Ikwechegh called the police, who arrived, forcibly took him to the Maitama Police Station, and detained him. “They didn’t allow me to take calls, and no one asked my side of the story. The officers accused me of causing trouble at the lawmaker’s house,” he recounted.
Abuwatseya said Ikwechegh continued hurling insults during the detention. The police reportedly held Abuwatseya until 3 a.m., and his vehicle was also impounded.
