A Nigerian police officer has sparked widespread outrage after a viral video captured him threatening to shoot civilians for recording him while on duty, reigniting concerns over police brutality and abuse of power.
The officer, identified as Newton Isokpehi, was seen in the footage warning that anyone who filmed him risked being shot — comments that quickly triggered backlash across social media platforms.
The incident comes amid growing public scrutiny of policing practices in Nigeria, particularly following a recent court ruling affirming the right of citizens to film police officers carrying out duties in public spaces.
Following the backlash, Isokpehi released an apology video, saying his remarks were made “out of frustration”. But the apology has done little to calm public anger, with many Nigerians describing the comments as reflective of a deeper culture of intimidation within the police force.
The controversy has once again fuelled online debates over accountability, citizens’ rights, and the conduct of security operatives in Africa’s most populous nation.
The story continues to trend widely under discussions surrounding police reform and civil liberties.
