A Nigerian man, identified as Tomi Akporoghene Wojuola, has recounted a harrowing and emotional encounter with officers of the Nigerian Police Force after he attempted to save the life of a young man who suddenly collapsed on the road in Asaba, Delta State.
Wojuola shared the disturbing experience on his Facebook page, detailing how a simple act of compassion nearly turned his life upside down.
Man shares encounter with Nigerian Police
According to Wojuola, the incident occurred earlier in the year when he noticed a young man collapse by the roadside. Concerned for his life, he contacted a medical doctor for advice and was instructed to rush the unconscious man to the nearest hospital immediately.
Wojuola explained that despite the reluctance of passersby, he decided to intervene and transported the victim to the hospital in a bid to save his life. Sadly, upon arrival, the young man was pronounced dead.
Following the unfortunate development, Wojuola said he insisted that the police be informed in line with standard procedure, stressing that he had no prior relationship with the deceased and acted purely as a concerned and responsible citizen.
He gets accused of murder
However, things reportedly took a shocking turn when he went to the GRA Police Station in Asaba to formally report the incident. Instead of being commended for his actions, Wojuola alleged that he was accused of murder, with his statement taken under caution as though he were a criminal suspect.
He further alleged that the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Joseph Udoh, verbally threatened him and expressed anger over his decision to intervene, stating that he would be punished for acting like a saviour. This was despite confirmation from the deceased’s family that their son had an underlying medical condition that may have caused his collapse.
According to Wojuola, the situation escalated rapidly, leaving him traumatised and confused. He claimed that the officers showed little interest in the medical explanation provided by the family and instead treated him as the primary suspect in the case.
The ordeal reportedly continued until the intervention of a highly placed government official, whose involvement eventually led to Wojuola’s release and the withdrawal of the murder allegation against him.
Despite gaining his freedom, Wojuola alleged that the police officers involved still emptied his bank account under the guise of bail, leaving him with only ₦2,000 to return home.
Reflecting on the experience, Wojuola said the incident gave him a deeper understanding of why many Nigerians now choose to record emergencies rather than step in to help, out of fear of being victimised or criminalised by law enforcement agencies.
As the year drew to a close, he expressed gratitude to God for surviving the ordeal, noting that many Nigerians remain in detention for cases far less severe than what he endured.
His words read …
“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.”
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