A viral video showing a Bolt driver allegedly being slapped by a House of Representatives member, Mr. Alex Ikwechegh, has sparked outrage across Nigeria.
The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, broke his silence in a video, revealing disturbing details about the incident.
In the video, he claims the lawmaker slapped him three times and tore his clothes.
The alleged assault took place after the driver reportedly asked Ikwechegh, representing Aba North-South Federal Constituency, to come outside and collect a package.
The Bolt driver, visibly shaken, described his ordeal in a video shared by 9News Nigeria.
“I just received three slaps, and my clothes were shredded into pieces from this man who claims to be a House of Reps member,” the driver said.
According to him, he did nothing to provoke Ikwechegh.
“I didn’t confront him or do anything bad to him. Please, I need help right now,” the driver added.
The video quickly went viral on social media, with thousands of Nigerians expressing shock and anger over the lawmaker’s alleged behavior.
In the video, Ikwechegh is seen slapping the driver multiple times.
At one point, the driver asks, “Did you just slap me three times?”
Ikwechegh reportedly replied, “Twice, and you will soon receive the third slap.”
The lawmaker’s alleged actions did not stop there.
In a chilling statement caught on camera, Ikwechegh reportedly warned the driver, saying, “I can make you disappear in the whole of Nigeria, and nothing will happen.”
He then boasted about his position, stating, “Do you know who I am? I am a Senator(sic) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I can lock you up in my generator house, and nothing will happen.”
The video also captured Ikwechegh saying that he would personally assault the driver without involving the police officers assigned to protect him.
He told the driver, “I won’t ask the police officers protecting me to beat you up. I’ll do it myself.”
These statements have sparked a widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians condemning the lawmaker’s conduct.
Several social media users criticized Ikwechegh, calling his actions a gross abuse of power.
The incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of ordinary Nigerians by those in positions of authority.
Many citizens feel that abuse of power has become a common theme among political figures in Nigeria.
Legal experts have weighed in on the matter, suggesting that the alleged actions of Ikwechegh could constitute assault and intimidation under Nigerian law.
A human rights lawyer, Femi Ajayi, told reporters, “If the allegations are true, this could be grounds for a criminal case. No one, regardless of their position, has the right to assault or threaten another person.”
The lawmaker’s words, particularly his alleged threat to “make [the driver] disappear,” have raised fears of unchecked power among political elites.
In Nigeria, cases of abuse by public officials have often led to public demonstrations and calls for accountability.
Human rights organizations have called on the House of Representatives to investigate the incident.
In a statement, the Coalition for Justice in Governance urged the House to take immediate action.
“We call on the House of Representatives to launch a full investigation into the conduct of Mr. Ikwechegh. This behavior, if proven true, is a serious abuse of power and tarnishes the integrity of the House,” the coalition said.
As of the time of reporting, efforts to reach Ikwechegh for his side of the story have been unsuccessful.
