The Nigeria Police Force has summoned the Divisional Police Officer of the GRA Police Station, Asaba, Delta State, following allegations of extortion and intimidation involving a Nigerian man who attempted to save a dying stranger.
The decision followed a public complaint by Tomi Akporoghene Wojuola, who recounted his ordeal in a Facebook post on Wednesday, that has since generated widespread outrage online.
According to Wojuola, the incident occurred earlier this year when he stopped to assist a young man who had collapsed on the road in Asaba. Acting on the advice of a medical doctor he contacted, Wojuola said he rushed the unconscious man to a hospital. The victim, however, was confirmed dead on arrival.
Wojuola said he requested that the police be notified, stressing that he did not know the deceased and had only intervened as a concerned citizen. However, upon reporting the case at the GRA Police Station, he alleged that police officers accused him of murder and took his statement under caution.
He further claimed that the DPO, CSP Joseph Udoh, verbally threatened him, allegedly stating that he would be “dealt with” for acting like a saviour. Wojuola said this happened 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, whose involvement led to Wojuola’s release and the withdrawal of the murder allegation. However, Wojuola alleged that even after his release, police officers emptied his bank account under the guise of bail, leaving him with just ₦2,000.
Reflecting on the experience, Wojuola said the incident explained why many Nigerians choose to record emergencies instead of intervening, for fear of being criminalised.
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 pass.
“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 would walk pass, even after the deceased victims 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 tha situation. Many people are still in prison for cases lesser than mine. My people, join me to thank God.”
Reacting to the allegations, the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) confirmed that the DPO has 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”
