The arrest was made by operatives of the Abia State Police Command after the video, which showed the visibly agitated man brandishing a machete and confronting passersby, circulated widely on social media.
Eyewitnesses said the man became more aggressive when he noticed he was being recorded.
Confirming the development, the police spokesperson for the command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said in a post on X.com that the suspect was believed to be mentally unstable.
She wrote: “The Abia State Police Command was alerted about a young man, suspected to be of unsound mind, seen roaming the streets in Umuahia with a machete.
The DPO Central Police Station Umuahia was alerted and has confirmed that the individual was apprehended and disarmed.”
The identity of the suspect has not been disclosed and it is not yet clear whether he will face charges or be referred for medical evaluation.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to security personnel.
