The Abia State Police Command has arrested two men accused of impersonating operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the circulation of a viral video showing them assaulting and handcuffing a commercial tricycle rider in Umuahia.
The suspects, identified as Anthony Kelechi, 41, and Bright Abraham, 42, were apprehended by detectives attached to the Central Police Station, Umuahia, after investigations into the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to Chinaka, the arrests were prompted by a video circulating on social media in which two men were seen physically assaulting and restraining an auto-rickshaw operator. One of the suspects was dressed in attire resembling that of a community security operative, while the other was in plain clothes.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of the Social Watch Anti-Drugs Abuse Advocacy, an organisation established to promote awareness against drug abuse.
However, the police alleged that the duo used the organisation as a cover to impersonate NDLEA officials and conduct unauthorised operations within the Umuahia metropolis.
The command further alleged that the suspects carried out illegal arrests and extorted money from unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of enforcing drug-related 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 said.
Chinaka added that investigations are still ongoing and assured that the command would ensure diligent prosecution of the suspects.
“Discreet investigation is ongoing to ensure diligent prosecution of the suspects to serve as a deterrent to others,” she stated.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Danladi Isa, warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
He noted that while Section 20 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows private citizens to arrest individuals caught committing offences, such persons must be immediately handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
The commissioner stressed that assault, intimidation, extortion and the impersonation of security agencies remain criminal offences under Nigerian law.
“The use of force, assault, intimidation, or impersonation of law enforcement agencies in order to extort remains unlawful, criminal and will not be tolerated,” he warned.
The police command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities through the nearest police station or designated emergency response channels.
The arrest comes amid increasing concerns over the activities of individuals and groups allegedly posing as security operatives to harass and extort members of the public. Security agencies have repeatedly cautioned citizens against participating in unauthorised enforcement activities and urged them to verify the identity of anyone claiming to act on behalf of law enforcement institutions.
