Newton Isokpehi, the police officer who went viral on Wednesday after threatening to shoot dead anyone who recorded him on duty, has apologised. Akahi News learnt that Isokpehi said his remarks were made out of frustration and do not reflect his true intentions.
It is not a child’s play when a serving officer threatens citizens with violence. But when will the frustrations of frontline policing be addressed without turning on the public? In a follow-up video on TikTok Thursday, Isokpehi pleaded for forgiveness and clarified his position on filming officers.
What the Officer Said in His Apology
Akahi News gathered that Isokpehi addressed rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who had amplified the original video, and asked for public forgiveness in Pidgin English. His remarks have been translated into standard English.
“Please forgive me. If I offended you as a brother, forgive me. That statement was just out of annoyance because of the things that are happening. These things are painful,” he said.
He insisted that his earlier video had been misunderstood. While he maintained that people should not just film officers indiscriminately, he clarified that he does not oppose citizens recording police officers in principle.
“Actually, you can video us. You are allowed to video a policeman. But it’s not right for just anybody to come from anywhere and start videoing officers on duty. They have taken it too far,” he said.
Background and Service Record
Akahi News learnt that Isokpehi, from Edo State and raised in the barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a dedicated officer with 12 years in the Mobile Police.
He displayed gunshot injuries on camera to illustrate the risks he said officers face. “Look at my body, these are all bullets. These are all gunshot wounds. See my chest, bullet has eaten into it. Out of 17 of us, only two survived that operation,” he said.
“We have suffered in this work. So it was out of annoyance. We don’t even like complaining,” he added.
Clarifying the Threat
On his original threat to “clear everybody down” including bystanders near anyone filming him, Isokpehi was categorical.
“How can I be saying I will kill my own people? We don’t do that. I spoke out of annoyance. That one was just verbal talk,” he said.
He appealed directly to Gwamnishu and to Nigerians at large, saying the video had gone further than he expected. “Harrison, forgive me. I beg the whole of Nigeria, please forgive me. This one has reached too far,” he said.
What Happens Next
The Nigeria Police Force had not issued a statement on the matter as of press time. Isokpehi closed by expressing hope that conditions for police officers would improve under the current Inspector General of Police.
“We have decided that we will die for our fatherland. One day, things will surely get better by the grace of God. One love to the world,” he said.
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Isokpehi’s apology highlights the tension between police welfare and public oversight in Nigeria. While filming officers remains lawful, the incident shows how years of low morale and operational risk can spill into public confrontations.
Whether the apology de-escalates the situation will depend on public response and any disciplinary steps by the police. Follow Akahi News for updates on policing and public accountability in Nigeria.
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