“Please forgive me” — The police officer who threatened to kill anyone filming him on duty apologizes

A Nigerian police officer, Newton Isokpehi, has publicly apologized after being featured in a viral video threatening to shoot anyone caught filming him while on official duty.

The police officer, whose remarks sparked outrage on social media platforms, addressed Nigerians in a new TikTok video on Thursday, claiming the controversial statement was made out of frustration and was not intended as a real threat.

Isokpehi also addressed rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu directly, who circulated the original footage online, apologizing for the incident.

“Please forgive me. If I offended you as a brother, forgive me. That statement was just out of anger because of the things that are happening. These things are painful,” he said.

While speaking partly in Pidgin English, the officer explained that he was not opposed to citizens filming police officers in public. However, he argued that some individuals have become excessive in the way they film officers on duty.

“In fact, you can film us. You may film a police officer. But it’s not right for anyone to come from anywhere and start filming police officers on duty. They went too far,” he said.

The officer talks about his years in the service

The officer disclosed that he hails from Edo State and grew up in the Kaduna Police Barracks. According to him, he spent more than a decade serving in the mobile police unit.

“Wherever people ask about me, people will testify to my character. I have been working in the mobile police for 12 years. I worked for my country with all my heart,” he said.

In an emotional moment during the video, Isokpehi showed the scars and gunshot wounds he claimed were sustained during operations while serving the country.

“Look at my body, it’s all bullets. These are all gunshot wounds. Look at my chest, the bullet bit into it. Out of 17 of us, only two survived that operation,” he said.

“We suffered in this business. So it was out of anger. We don’t even like to complain,” he added.

The policeman denies the intention of harming civilians

Trying to tone down his earlier comments, the officer insisted he never intended to attack civilians or members of the public.

“How can I say that I will kill my people? We don’t do that. I spoke out of anger. It was just a verbal conversation,” he explained.

He further appealed to Nigerians to judge him on his personal conduct and not on the viral video, saying the reaction has become overwhelming.

“Harrison, forgive me. I am begging all of Nigeria, please forgive me. This one has gone too far. If you want to meet me, come and let’s meet one on one. You will know me personally. I won’t run. I will not surrender,” he said.

The officer also expressed optimism that the welfare and working conditions of police personnel would improve under the current leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We decided that we will die for our country. One day things will surely be better by the grace of God. One love for the world,” he added.

Virus threat Started Public reaction

The apology came less than 24 hours after X and a video circulated on Instagram showing the officer threatening to “shut everyone down,” including bystanders around anyone filming him.

The video drew a lot of criticism online, with several Nigerians demanding disciplinary action against the officer.

Watch the video here…

“Please forgive me”

~ P𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤!𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐭 pic.twitter.com/rjSlbYdUvF

— Nigerian Stories (@NigeriaStories) May 21, 2026