Area commander, slams ASP with query, defaults others over assault on commercial driver In Delta

The Ughelli Area Commander, ACP, Ademola Adebayo, has issued query to an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Jeremiah and default others officers for allegedly assaulting a commercial driver in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.


It was learned that the team of police officers led by ASP Jeremiah had allegedly attacked a commercial driver, Mr Malcom Esumei who is currently battling to save his right eye with blood clot.

Mr Malcolm, 41, a truck driver was returning from a business trip at Evwreni community when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Narrating his ordeal to newsmen after the incident, Mr Malcolm Esumei said, "On the October 28, 2024, between the hours of 5-6:pm, I was returning from Evwreni where I went to supply tiles and on getting to Makolomi roundabout in Ughelli, I met some police officers on the road.

"On getting to the roundabout, the police stopped a vehicle and where discussing, and another vehicle, a red GLK was in front of my truck and after waiting for about four minutes without getting to me.

"When I noticed that the officer and the driver of the GLK were spending time and I was not stopped, I decided to turn my steering leave the scene and as I was about driving from the scene, he flagged me down and I stopped.

"After he finished his discussion with the other vehicle, he came to me and ask where I was going, I told him that I was going back to the office and he immediately requested for my driver license which I gave to him at the center of the road.

"He then requested for my vehicle particulars and I asked him to allow me to park well as there was a mini grid lock but before I could finish my speech, it was a hot slap on my cheek and another hot blow on my eye while i was on the steering.

"He ordered to come down from the vehicle and as a alighted from the vehicle, other officers joined him in beating me and the loader that was with me was joined in the beating.

"After beating us, they asked us to leave, then I asked them why were they beating us so mercilessly without any offence, that angered them and started to beat us again after which, they bundled us to the station precisely ACB 1, behind the Area Commander 's office with my vehicle and they took my phone from me.

"At the station, one of the officers who introduced his rank as ASP told me that he can kill me and nobody will ask him anything and my family cannot do anything because my corpse will be seized by the government.

"When my Oga came, he took me to DPO and he immediately summoned the officers and they denied beating me despite the blood clot in my right eye."

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer SP Edafe Bright directed the matter to the Ughelli Area Commander.

The Ughelli Area Commander, ACP Ademola Adebayo immediately summoned the officers led by ASP Jeremiah and ordered he should be queried and the others be defaulted with immediate effect.

He said, "As a police officer, you must conduct yourself in a manner that command respect and honor and you cannot deny it that the driver was not beaten with the evidence at hand.

"I have always made an ASP the head of my team that would always go out and if any incident of this nature should occur, such can be handled but you did not handle it.


"I headed Sars for over six years in Delta, over a year in the North and a Crack Team head for over 17 months in Rivers State without any complain and I expected you to do same as I have always lectured you before going out."