The Nigeria Police Force has summoned the Divisional Police Officer of the GRA Police Station in Asaba, Delta State, following allegations of intimidation and extortion involving a man who attempted to assist a collapsed stranger.
The action follows a public complaint by Tomi Akporoghene Wojuola, who detailed his experience in a Facebook post on Wednesday, sparking widespread public outrage.
According to Wojuola, the incident occurred earlier this year when he stopped to help a young man who had collapsed on a road in Asaba. Acting on advice from a medical doctor he contacted by phone, he rushed the unconscious victim to hospital, where the man was later confirmed dead on arrival.
Wojuola said he insisted the police should be notified since he did not know the deceased and had only intervened as a responsible passer-by. However, upon reporting the matter at the GRA Police Station, he alleged that officers accused him of murder and took his statement under caution.
He further claimed that the DPO, CSP Joseph Udoh, verbally threatened him and allegedly vowed to “deal with” him for trying to act like a saviour, despite confirmation from the deceased’s family that their son had an underlying medical condition.
The situation reportedly escalated until the intervention of a senior government official, after which the murder allegation was withdrawn and Wojuola was released. He nevertheless alleged that officers went on to drain his bank account under the pretext of bail, leaving him with only ₦2,000.
Reflecting on the incident, Wojuola said the experience explains why many Nigerians choose to film emergency situations rather than offer assistance, for fear of being criminalised.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the Police Complaint Response Unit confirmed that the DPO has been summoned. It said:
“The Divisional Police Officer, GRA Asaba, #DeltaPoliceNG, has been summoned and will appear at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for questioning concerning this complaint next week. Thank you for contacting NPF-CRU. #NoToImpunity.”
