The Abia State Police Command has arrested two men accused of impersonating operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency after a viral video showed them assaulting and handcuffing an auto-rickshaw rider in Umuahia.
The suspects, identified as Anthony Kelechi, 41, and Bright Abraham, 42, were arrested by detectives attached to the Central Police Station, Umuahia, following investigations into the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to her, the arrests followed the circulation of a video on social media showing two men—one dressed in clothing resembling that of a community security operative and the other in plain clothes—physically assaulting and handcuffing a commercial tricycle operator.
Preliminary investigations, Chinaka said, revealed that the suspects are members of the Social Watch Anti-Drugs Abuse Advocacy, an organisation established to promote awareness against drug abuse.
However, she alleged that the duo used the platform as a cover to impersonate NDLEA personnel and carry out illegal operations within the Umuahia metropolis.
The police spokesperson said the suspects allegedly engaged in unlawful arrests and extorted money from members of the public under the guise of enforcing drug laws.
“The suspects were arrested following a viral video on social media depicting two individuals, one dressed in attire resembling that of a community security operative and the other in plain clothes, assaulting and handcuffing an autorickshaw rider (keke driver),” the statement read.
She added that investigations were ongoing and that the command was determined to ensure diligent prosecution of the suspects.
“Discreet investigation is ongoing to ensure diligent prosecution of the suspects to serve as a deterrent to others,” Chinaka stated.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Danladi Isa, used the opportunity to caution members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
According to him, while Section 20 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act permits private citizens to arrest individuals caught committing offences, such suspects must be immediately handed over to the police.
“The use of force, assault, intimidation, or impersonation of law enforcement agencies in order to extort remains unlawful, criminal and will not be tolerated,” the commissioner warned.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to report suspicious activities through the nearest police station or designated emergency lines.
The arrest comes amid growing concerns over cases of impersonation of security personnel by criminal elements seeking to extort unsuspecting members of the public. Security agencies have repeatedly warned against unauthorized enforcement activities by individuals or groups not recognised by law.