A police officer, Newton Isokpehi, who sparked outrage after a viral video showed him threatening to shoot anyone recording him while on duty, has apologised to Nigerians, saying his comments were made out of frustration and not a genuine intention to harm members of the public.
Isokpehi had come under heavy criticism on Wednesday after a video circulated on social media platform X and Instagram in which he threatened to โclear everybody down,โ including bystanders near anyone filming him during police operations.
The remarks triggered widespread concern over police conduct and citizensโ rights to record public officials.
However, in a follow-up video shared on his TikTok page on Thursday, the officer pleaded for forgiveness and addressed rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who was among those that amplified the earlier clip online.
Speaking in Pidgin English, later translated into standard English by our correspondent, Isokpehi appealed to Nigerians not to judge him solely by the viral outburst.
โPlease 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,โ he said.
The officer maintained that he was not against members of the public recording police officers but argued that some people had abused the practice.
โActually, you can video us. You are allowed to video a policeman. But itโs not right for just anybody to come from anywhere and start videoing officers on duty. They have taken it too far,โ he said.
While attempting to explain the emotional state behind his earlier remarks, Isokpehi spoke about the physical and emotional toll of policing, particularly his years in active operations with the Mobile Police unit.
The officer, who said he is from Edo State and grew up in the police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a committed officer with a long history of service to the country.
โAnywhere people ask about me, people will testify to my character. I have worked in the Mobile Police for 12 years. I have worked for my fatherland with all my heart,โ he said.
In the video, he also displayed gunshot wounds on his body, saying they were sustained during operations over the years.
โLook 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.
โWe have suffered in this work. So it was out of annoyance. We donโt even like complaining,โ he said.
Attempting to further clarify his earlier threat, Isokpehi insisted he had no intention of harming civilians.
โHow can I be saying I will kill my own people? We donโt do that. I spoke out of annoyance. That one was just verbal talk,โ he said.
He also made a direct appeal to Gwamnishu, saying the controversy had escalated beyond what he expected.
โHarrison, forgive me. I beg the whole of Nigeria, please forgive me. This one has reached too far. If you want to know me, come and meet me one-on-one. You will know me personally. I will not run. I will not surrender,โ he said.
The officer concluded the video with a message of hope, expressing optimism that conditions for police personnel would improve under the current Inspector General of Police.
โWe 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,โ he said.
As of Thursday evening, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement regarding the viral incident or the officerโs apology.
