Chaos erupted as Mrs Tracy Ohiri, a businesswoman embroiled in a long-standing financial dispute with Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, collapsed during a heated confrontation with security forces.
The incident, captured in a viral video shared by Sahara Reporters, occurred as police officers allegedly attempted to re-arrest Ohiri. This move comes despite claims from her legal team that she had already perfected her bail conditions.
Witnesses at the scene described a high-tension environment where Ohiri appeared visibly distressed while surrounded by security agents. In the footage, the businesswoman is seen slumped on the ground, motionless, as bystanders and activists, including Omoyele Sowore, scrambled to assist her.
“Is she breathing? Does anyone know how to conduct CPR?” one onlooker shouted in the video, highlighting the lack of immediate medical intervention from the officers present.
While some security personnel looked on with apparent indifference, others continued to maintain their perimeter. Ohiri was eventually rushed to a nearby hospital, where her current condition remains unknown.
The roots of the arrest appear to stem from a debt Ohiri claims the Minister has owed her for over 12 years. Supporters of the businesswoman allege that rather than settling the commercial dispute, the Minister has leveraged state power to intimidate her.
“All of these problems because she was asking for money she worked hard for?” questioned one citizen, Chidera, on social media. “Nigeria is not a real place. My fear keeps increasing as the day goes by.”
However, the situation has polarised public opinion. While many see it as a case of political oppression, some sceptics have questioned the authenticity of the collapse and the validity of the debt.
The incident has sparked a firestorm of criticism regarding the role of the Nigerian Police Force in civil disputes. Activist Marvellous Israel accused the authorities of being tools of the elite, stating that it is a shame to see police officers donate themselves to be used by politicians to oppress the people.
Contrasting voices, such as Yasser Asekomo, dismissed the scene as theatrical, suggesting that “this script was cast a long time ago” and that the businesswoman must present evidence of her work in court or face jail time.
There has been no official statement yet from the Ministry of Works or David Umahi regarding the allegations of debt or the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
As the video continues to circulate, the narrative has shifted toward a broader critique of the Tinubu administration’s cabinet.
Some observers have called on the President to intervene to prevent further embarrassment to the government, while others, like commentator Godwin Robinson, noted that state power over an individual in this context remains dangerously unpredictable.
For now, the focus remains on Ohiri’s health and the legal justification for the police’s attempt to take her back into custody following her reported bail. #Securitynewsalert.com
