The Abia State Police Command has arrested two men for allegedly impersonating operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after a viral video captured 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, following investigations into the incident.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to Chinaka, the police launched an investigation after a video circulated on social media showing two men—one wearing clothing similar to that of a community security operative and the other dressed in plain clothes—physically assaulting and handcuffing an auto-rickshaw driver.

Preliminary investigations, she 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, the police alleged that the pair used the organisation as a cover to impersonate NDLEA personnel and carry out unauthorised operations within the Umuahia metropolis.

Chinaka further alleged that the suspects carried out illegal arrests and extorted members of the public while falsely presenting themselves as officials 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 are still ongoing and assured that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“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 Abia State, Danladi Isa, used the opportunity to caution members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.

He explained that although Section 20 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows private citizens to arrest individuals caught committing offences, such suspects must be handed over immediately to the nearest police station.

“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 police command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged residents to report suspicious persons or activities through the nearest police station or designated emergency lines.

The arrest comes amid growing concerns over the increasing impersonation of security personnel by criminal elements seeking to intimidate and extort unsuspecting members of the public. Security agencies have repeatedly warned against unauthorised enforcement activities by individuals or groups not recognised by law.