What began as an attempt to save a dying stranger has turned into a national conversation about fear, policing, and why many Nigerians now hesitate to help people in distress.
In early 2025, an X (formerly Twitter) user identified as @ummuh_Zahra shared a troubling account of how she allegedly became a victim of police intimidation after helping a young man who collapsed near the GRA Police Station in Asaba, Delta State.
According to her account, the young man suddenly collapsed on the road. While others reportedly walked past, she chose to stop and help. After calling a doctor for advice, she rushed the man to a nearby hospital in an effort to save his life.
Sadly, the man died at the hospital. She said medical personnel advised that the police be informed since she did not know the victim personally. Acting, in her words, “as a responsible citizen,” she reported the incident.
That decision, she said, marked the beginning of her ordeal.
She was taken to the GRA Police Station in Asaba, where she alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Joseph Udoh, accused her of murder. She claimed her statement was taken under caution and that her attempt to help was mocked rather than appreciated.
In a post that has since gone viral, she alleged that the DPO told her he would “deal with” her for acting like “Jesus,” warning that after her experience, she would think twice before helping anyone again. She said this happened even after the deceased man’s family reportedly confirmed that their son had an underlying medical condition.
“I immediately understood why people make videos in such situations instead of helping,” she wrote, suggesting that fear of police harassment discourages good Samaritans.
She further alleged that it took the intervention of a very senior government official to prevent her from being charged with murder. Despite the intervention and her eventual release, she claimed that police officers still demanded bail money and emptied her bank account, leaving her with just ₦2,000.
“As the year comes to an end, I thank God for bringing me out alive,” she wrote. “Many people are still in prison for cases less serious than mine.”
The story triggered widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences and expressing fear about helping strangers in emergencies without legal protection.
Following public outrage, Nigeria’s Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU) announced that CSP Joseph Udoh has been summoned to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for questioning. The summons, issued on January 3, is part of the police’s #NoToImpunity campaign, which aims to address allegations of misconduct within the force.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited calls for stronger Good Samaritan protections and police accountability, as many Nigerians say they are forced to choose between saving a life and protecting their own freedom.
