Newton Isokpehi, the police officer at the centre of a nationwide backlash over a viral threat to shoot anyone caught filming him while on duty, has publicly apologised, insisting his comments were made in frustration and never intended as a genuine threat.
In a video shared on his TikTok page Thursday, the visibly emotional officer appealed to Nigerians and rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu for forgiveness following widespread outrage sparked by his earlier remarks.
“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.
Speaking in Pidgin English, Isokpehi maintained that he does not oppose citizens recording police officers but argued that some people have abused the practice.
“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 stated.
The officer, who said he hails from Edo State and grew up in a police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a dedicated operative who has spent over a decade serving Nigeria in the Mobile Police unit.
“Anywhere 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,” he said.
In an emotional moment during the video, Isokpehi displayed scars and injuries he claimed were sustained from gunfire while on active duty, using them to illustrate the dangers officers face daily.
“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.
Attempting to distance himself from his earlier comments, the officer insisted he would never intentionally harm civilians.
“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.
Directly addressing Gwamnishu and Nigerians at large, Isokpehi acknowledged that the controversy had spiralled beyond his expectations.
“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 ended his appeal with a message of hope for better welfare and conditions for police officers 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 added.
The apology comes less than 24 hours after a separate video circulated widely across X and Instagram showing the officer threatening to “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone recording him. The clip triggered intense criticism online, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action from the authorities.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigeria Police Force had not released an official statement on the incident.
