The Nigeria Police Force has called upon the Divisional Police Officer of the GRA Police Station in Asaba, Delta State, due to claims of extortion and intimidation related to a Nigerian man who tried to help a dying individual.
The action came after a public complaint from Tomi Akporoghene Wojuola, who shared his experience in a Facebook post on Wednesday, which has since stirred significant anger online.
Wojuola stated that the event took place earlier this year when he paused to help a young man who had fallen on the street in Asaba.
Following the guidance of a physician he reached out to, Wojuola stated he hurried the unresponsive man to a medical facility. The victim, nonetheless, was declared dead upon arrival.
Wojuola stated he asked for the police to be informed, emphasizing that he was not acquainted with the deceased and had only stepped in as a worried citizen.
Upon reporting the incident at the GRA Police Station, he claimed that the police officers charged him with murder and recorded his statement with a warning.
He also asserted that the DPO, CSP Joseph Udoh, made verbal threats, supposedly saying that he would be “handled” for behaving like a savior.
Wojuola stated that this occurred even with the family’s confirmation that their son had a prior medical condition.
The situation allegedly intensified until a senior government official intervened, resulting in Wojuola’s release and the retraction of the murder accusation. However, Wojuola claimed that even following his release, police officers drained his bank account, pretending it was bail, leaving him with only ₦2,000.
Reflecting on the experience, Wojuola remarked that the event illustrated why many Nigerians opt to document emergencies rather than get involved, due to the fear of being prosecuted.
He wrote, “Sometime this year, I made the grievous mistake of rushing a dying young man who had collapsed on the road to the hospital at the instance of a doctor who I had earlier called for advice, even when everybody chose to walk past.
“Unfortunately, upon reaching the hospital, the young man gave up the ghost. Out of protocol, I requested that the police be informed since I never knew the person involved; I was just trying to be a good citizen.
“I was taken to incident the case at GRA Police Station in Asaba. To tell you how wicked some officers of the Nigerian Police Force could be, I was instead accused of murder with my statement taken under caution. CSP Joseph Udoh, the DPO, told me he must deal with me for acting like ‘Jesus.’ Those were his exact words. He bluntly told me that when he is through with me, if I see anybody dying again, I should walk past, even after the deceased victim’s family had confirmed that their late son had an underlying condition.
“I immediately understood why people make videos in such a situation and do not make an attempt to rescue the victim. It took the grace of God through a very, very top government functionary for me to have escaped the murder charge that I was tagged with.
“Even after the VVIP personally came to attest and ensure I was released, the Nigerian Police Force, through CSP Joseph Udoh of the Asaba GRA Division, still emptied my account as bail money. I went home with only two thousand naira.
“As the year comes to an end, I am using this opportunity to thank God for bringing me out of that situation. Many people are still in prison for cases lesser than mine. My people, join me to thank God.”
Responding to the claims, the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) announced that the DPO had been summoned.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the unit said, “The Divisional Police Officer, GRA Asaba, #DeltaPoliceNG, has been summoned and will be in Police Force Headquarters Abuja for questioning concerning this complaint by next week. Thank you for contacting NPF-CRU. #NoToImpunity”
