A police officer, Newton Isokpehi, who sparked outrage after threatening to shoot anyone filming him while on duty, has apologised to Nigerians.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Isokpehi said his comments were made out of frustration and pleaded for the public’s forgiveness.
The officer tendered the apology in a video posted on his TikTok page on Thursday, following backlash over his earlier remarks.
Speaking in Pidgin English, Isokpehi appealed to Nigerians and rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who had shared the viral video.
“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 insisted that his earlier statement was misunderstood, adding that he was not against citizens recording police officers.
“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.
Isokpehi, who said he is from Edo State and was raised in a police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a committed officer who had served the country for many years.
“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.
He also displayed what he described as gunshot wounds sustained during active operations.
Isokpehi further stated, “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.
“We have suffered in this work. So it was out of annoyance. We don’t even like complaining.”
The officer said he did not intend to harm civilians, stressing that his earlier threat was a verbal outburst.
“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 again appealed to Gwamnishu and Nigerians, saying the backlash had gone beyond what he expected.
“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.
The apology came barely 24 hours after a video of the officer threatening to “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone filming him, circulated widely on 𝕏 and Instagram.
Isokpehi concluded 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 added.