A disturbing viral video on X (formerly Twitter) shows a Nigerian police officer, identified as Newton Isokpehi, threatening to kill anyone who records him while on duty. The clip has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.
Officer's threats in viral video
In the video, Isokpehi, reportedly based in Benin, Edo State, delivers a profanity-laced tirade in pidgin English, defying official Nigeria Police Force (NPF) policies that permit citizens to record officers in public. He boasts that any superior ordering such recording would only fund the funerals of those shot. 'Make that oga (boss), when he give you an order say make they video us, eh? He go go do your burial for you,' he said.
He further threatened: 'Carry your camera come around anywhere there... mistake video [me], if you don't do, I will kill everybody there, the whole food bus, anywhere, anywhere... I will kill everybody there. I swear to God.'
Public reaction and context
The video has reignited debate over police brutality, especially after a March 2026 court ruling reaffirmed citizens' constitutional right to record law enforcement activities. Human rights advocates say the officer's comments undermine trust-building efforts. Social media users are calling for his immediate arrest and dismissal, tagging the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Isokpehi also complained about poor welfare for lower-ranking officers, showing scars from gunshot wounds sustained during 26 years of service. He praised the acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for recent reforms but maintained his stance on recording.
As of now, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement on the incident.
