Police Officer Who Threatened to Kill People Filming Him Apologises

A Nigerian police officer, Newton Isokpehi, has publicly apologised after a viral video captured him threatening to kill anyone who attempted to film him while on duty.

The controversial video sparked widespread outrage on social media after Isokpehi was heard warning that he would “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone recording him during operations. The clip quickly circulated across X, Instagram, and TikTok, drawing criticism from Nigerians and human rights advocates.

In a follow-up video posted on Thursday via his TikTok account, the officer pleaded for forgiveness, explaining that his earlier comments were made out of frustration and emotional stress accumulated during years of active service.

Speaking partly in Pidgin English, Isokpehi addressed activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who had amplified the initial video online, urging both him and the Nigerian public to forgive him.

According to the officer, he never intended to carry out the threats and merely spoke in anger.

“How can I be saying I will kill my own people? We don’t do that,” he said.

Isokpehi also displayed multiple gunshot wounds on his body during the apology video, claiming they were sustained during years of service in the Mobile Police Force. He revealed that only two officers survived a particular operation involving 17 personnel, describing the physical and emotional toll policing has taken on him.

The officer appealed directly to Nigerians, insisting that those who know him personally could testify to his character and dedication to duty.

The incident has reignited conversations around police conduct, accountability, and the relationship between law enforcement officers and civilians in Nigeria, especially regarding citizens’ rights to document police activities in public spaces.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not released an official statement concerning the matter.