Nigerian Police Officer Suspected in Viral Video Threatens Violence Against Citizens Recording Officers on Duty

Nigerian Police Officer Suspected in Viral Video Threatens Violence Against Citizens Recording Officers on Duty A video circulating widely o...

Nigerian Police Officer Suspected in Viral Video Threatens Violence Against Citizens Recording Officers on Duty

A video circulating widely on social media has sparked outrage across Nigeria, showing a man identified by users as Newton Isokpehi — a suspected personnel of the Nigeria Police Force — issuing a stark warning against citizens recording police officers during operations.

In the clip, the man, dressed casually in a patterned shirt and appearing to speak directly to the camera, declares: “Any day I’m on duty as a Nigerian police officer, let anyone record me. That person will provide the officer who gave them the order to be filming us, because I will clear everybody down.”

The statement, interpreted as a threat of lethal force against recorders and potentially bystanders, comes amid heightened public scrutiny of police conduct. It directly contradicts recent affirmations from police leadership and a Federal High Court ruling affirming citizens' rights to record officers in public.

The man, reportedly from Delta State, dismisses earlier statements by senior officers encouraging recording as a transparency measure. Users have called for his immediate identification, arrest, drug testing, and dismissal from the force. Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu is among those demanding action.

No official confirmation from the Nigeria Police Force has been issued as of this reporting, though the video has trended rapidly with demands for accountability tagged to Nigerian Police.

A March 2026 Federal High Court ruling in Delta State explicitly upheld Nigerians' constitutional right to film police officers performing public duties. The judgment emphasized that such recordings promote accountability and that officers cannot lawfully harass, arrest, or seize devices from citizens solely for recording.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Tijani Fatai had earlier stated that officers doing their jobs lawfully have “nothing to fear” from being recorded. The Force has also warned against phone searches during operations.

Despite these positions, incidents of officers resisting or threatening recorders continue to surface, highlighting implementation gaps years after the EndSARS protests.

Social media users expressed shock and anger, with many viewing the remarks as evidence of entrenched impunity. Comments range from calls for the officer's removal to broader demands for police reform. Some drew parallels to recent high-profile cases in Delta State involving alleged police misconduct.

The Nigeria Police Force has faced repeated criticism over transparency, use of force, and respect for citizens' rights. Force Order 237, governing firearm use, has been invoked in past disciplinary actions.

As the video gains traction, pressure mounts on authorities to investigate and respond. Citizens are reminded that while recording is a protected right when done peacefully and without obstruction, safety should remain paramount in interactions with law enforcement.

This incident underscores ongoing tensions between public demands for accountability and elements within the police resisting oversight. Updates will follow as the Nigeria Police Force addresses the matter.