Police officer threatens to kill anyone filming him and the video spread like wildfire. Now the same cop is on camera again. This time he is not threatening anyone. He is begging.
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Newton Isokpehi went viral on Wednesday for all the wrong reasons. Standing in uniform, he looked into the camera and said he would clear everybody down. Anyone filming him. Anyone standing near the person filming him. The threat was cold. The video exploded across X and Instagram. Rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu amplified it. The public erupted.
Twenty-four hours later, Isokpehi was back on his TikTok page. The tone had completely changed. Speaking in Pidgin English, he pleaded for forgiveness. He said the words came out of frustration. He said they did not reflect his true intentions. He said he was just annoyed because of the things happening. He sounded like a man who realized too late that the internet never forgets.
He tried to clarify his position on filming officers. He admitted the public is allowed to video policemen. Then he added that it is not right for just anybody to come from anywhere and start recording officers on duty. He said people have taken it too far. Even in apology, the defensiveness leaked through.
Isokpehi spoke about his record. Twelve years in the Mobile Police. Operations where colleagues died. He showed his body. Gunshot wounds. A chest eaten by bullets. Out of seventeen men, only two survived one mission. He said he has suffered for this country. The pain was real. The threat was still wrong.
He addressed Gwamnishu directly. He asked the activist to forgive him. He begged the whole of Nigeria to forgive him. He said the video has reached too far. He said if anyone wants to know him, they should come meet him one-on-one. He will not run. He will not surrender.
The Nigeria police Force has not issued any statement on the matter. The original video is still circulating. The apology video is now circulating too. One showed a man threatening to kill citizens. The other showed a man realizing his career might be over. Which one people remember is the question that remains unanswered.
Him don realize say internet no be him mate. Threat first, apology later. Classic Nigerian cop script.
Abeg which kind frustration dey make person threaten to shoot innocent people? Frustration no be license to kill o.
“You are allowed to video a policeman BUT…” That BUT is the problem. That BUT is why people don’t trust them.
I watched both videos. The first one scared me. The second one annoyed me. He knew what he was saying. He meant it.
12 years in Mobile Police and this is how you handle public frustration? Training na zero.
Harrison Gwamnishu don do him work. Now make police authorities do their own.
The gunshot wounds pain me sha. These officers see real trauma. But trauma no be excuse to transfer pain to innocent people.
He said “I will not run. I will not surrender.” My brother, nobody dey chase you. Just stop threatening to kill us.
The fact say NPF never talk anything since yesterday tells you everything you need to know.
Verbal talk? VERBAL TALK? Threatening to clear everybody down na verbal talk? Oga rest.
I feel for him small. The system failed him. But the system also made him feel untouchable until the video went viral.
One day threat. Next day tears. Internet no dey forgive. Next time think before you talk.
He needs suspension and psychological evaluation. Not just public apology.
Edo boy representing. But this one no good at all. Embarrassment to the state.