The Abia State Police Command has arrested two individuals accused of impersonating National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officers after a viral video showed them abusing and handcuffing an auto-rickshaw rider in Umuahia.
The accused, Anthony Kelechi, 41, and Bright Abraham, 42, were apprehended by detectives from Umuahia’s Central Police Station after an inquiry into the incident.
DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to her, the arrests came after a video circulated on social media showing two men—one dressed as a community security worker and the other in normal clothes—physically attacking and handcuffing a commercial tricycle operator.
According to Chinaka, preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects are members of the Social Watch Anti-Drug Addiction Advocacy organization, which was founded to raise awareness about drug addiction.
However, she said that the duo exploited the platform to mimic NDLEA agents and conduct criminal operations in the Umuahia metropolis.
According to a police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly made unlawful arrests and extorted money from members of the public while claiming to be enforcing narcotics 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 noted 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.
Danladi Isa, the state’s commissioner of police, warned the public against taking the law into their own hands.
He stated that while Section 20 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows private citizens to arrest suspects, they must immediately hand them over to the police.
“The use of force, assault, intimidation, or impersonation of law enforcement agencies in order to extort remains unlawful and criminal and will not be tolerated,” the commissioner warned.
The command restated its commitment to protecting lives and property, and people were advised to report suspicious activity to the local police station or authorized emergency lines.
