Oct 28, 2024

Alex Ikwechegh: Bolt says it will assist driver assaulted by Abia Rep as police gets involved Total Following a dastardly assault on a driver by a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, Bolt , the ride-hailing platform on which the driver was operating has expressed sadness at the event and assured that it was taking the matter very seriously. The company disclosed this in a response to Technext when quizzed about the matter. Reacting to the sad and humiliating episode, Bolt said that it was diit is investigating the situation and is taking steps to assist the driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya. “We are deeply troubled by this incident and take matters of this nature very seriously. The safety and well-being of both our drivers and passengers are of utmost importance to us. Our team is actively investigating the situation and taking steps to assist our driver-partner. We remain committed to fostering a respectful and secure environment for all users,” Bolt said in a statement to Technext. Recall that in a now-viral video, Alex Ikwechegh, the member representing Abia North and South federal constituency could be seen visibly angry at the driver, now identified as Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya at his Maitama residence. Referring to the driver as a rat and a monkey, he threatened to make the man disappear and “nothing will happen.” When the driver demanded payment for his services, the legislator threatened to beat him up like a little brother before locking him up in a generator house. With that, he proceeded to slap the driver twice with a promise to deliver a third slap soon enough. “Are you even looking at me that you can beat me? Who the hell do you think that you are talking to? Do you know who I am? I am a Senator of this republic. Do you know who the f**k I am? How dare you? You are not leaving this place o. You see this place? You will suffer. I will deal with you. I am Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives. Call the Inspector General of Police, call him let him come,” Alex Ikwechegh could be heard yelling at the driver. Alex Ikwechegh’s episode closes a weekend of assaults on drivers Alex Ikwechegh’s assault on the Bolt driver presents a chaotic climax to a weekend characterised by assaults on drivers operating on e-hailing platforms. Recall that last Thursday, a driver operating on the Uber platform, was attacked by a passenger in Abuja. The driver, an elderly man, could be seen in a video getting dragged on the floor by the passenger he went to pick up, before getting knocked out with a brutal punch. That case was eventually resolved on Saturday by social media justice fighter, Very Dark Man when the passenger expressed remorse, paid a compensation of 3 million naira to the driver and settled his hospital bills. Hardly was that case over when Alex Ikwechegh’s story started making the rounds on Sunday, assaulting a driver who only came to deliver items to him. The incident has since provoked anger among members of the public, with many calling for the House of Reps to follow the example of the British member of parliament who was suspended for assaulting another man and suspend the Honourable for his dishonourable conduct. Alex Ikwechegh While Very Dark Man has offered to take up this case well, it is important to note that the police have announced it was investigating the matter. In a statement released on Monday, In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police said it was “actively handling the case” following a report made by the driver. “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,” the statement reads.