The Anambra State Police Command has arrested Assistant Superintendent of Police Newton Isokpehi after a viral video showed him threatening to shoot anyone who recorded him while on duty.
The video, which spread across X, Instagram and TikTok on Wednesday, captured Isokpehi speaking in Pidgin English and warning that he would “clear everybody down” if civilians filmed him during operations.
“Any day I’m on duty as a Nigerian police officer, carrying my rifle and doing my job, let somebody come and video me. That oga who gave you people the order to video us, he will go and do your burial. He will bury you,” he said in the clip. He also dared people to bring cameras near his duty post, swearing to open fire onlookers and bystanders.
The remarks triggered widespread outrage online, with Nigerians calling the comments reckless and a threat to citizens’ rights to document police conduct. The video was later deleted from his TikTok account, and Isokpehi posted a follow-up video apologising, saying his comments were made “out of frustration”.
The Anambra Command said it acted immediately after reviewing the footage. In a statement on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ngozi Ezeabata, speaking for Commissioner Ikioye Orutugu, confirmed Isokpehi’s arrest and the start of internal disciplinary proceedings.
“Following a prompt review of the video, the Command immediately identified and arrested the officer involved. The officer is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Newton Isokpehi, serving in the Command,” the statement read.
The command added that Isokpehi had been subjected to a drug test as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. It said internal disciplinary action was underway in line with the ethical code of the Nigeria Police Force.
Isokpehi, who said he has 26 years of service and showed scars from gunshot wounds, complained about police welfare and the stress of the job in the video. He also referenced the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, saying he was trying to clear backlogged insurance benefits for families of deceased officers…See More
