A Nigerian police officer, Newton Isokpehi, who sparked outrage online after threatening to shoot anyone caught recording him while on duty, has publicly apologised, saying his comments were made “out of annoyance” and not intended as a genuine threat.
Isokpehi, whose earlier video circulated widely across social media platforms on Wednesday, had drawn criticism after he warned that he would “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone filming him during operations.
The remarks triggered fresh debate over police conduct, accountability and citizens’ rights to document law enforcement officers in public.
In a follow-up video posted on his TikTok page on Thursday, the officer appealed directly to Nigerians and rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who had amplified the original clip online, asking for forgiveness over the controversial statement.
Speaking in Pidgin English, Isokpehi said the outburst reflected frustration over the realities of policing rather than any intention to harm civilians.
“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.
The officer clarified that he was not opposed to members of the public recording police officers, acknowledging that citizens have the right to film law enforcement personnel.
However, he argued that officers often feel provoked when individuals approach them aggressively with cameras while they are carrying out duties.
“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.
Isokpehi, who identified himself as an indigene of Edo State raised in the police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a committed officer who had spent over a decade in the Mobile Police Force serving the country under dangerous conditions.
Attempting to explain the emotional state behind his remarks, he displayed multiple gunshot wounds on his body during the apology video, recounting experiences from previous security operations.
“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.”
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The officer insisted repeatedly that he would never intentionally harm Nigerians, stressing that his comments should not be interpreted literally.
“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 added.
In an emotional appeal directed at Gwamnishu and the broader public, Isokpehi said the backlash had escalated beyond what he expected and pleaded for understanding.
“Harrison, 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,” he said.
He concluded by expressing hope that conditions within the Nigeria Police Force would improve under the leadership of the current Inspector-General of Police, while reaffirming his commitment to serving the country.
“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.
The controversy has reignited conversations around police accountability, citizens’ rights to record security operatives, and the welfare conditions of officers operating in high-risk environments across Nigeria.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement regarding the viral videos or the officer’s conduct.