Anambra Police Arrest Officer Over Viral Threat Against People Filming Him

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Newton Isokpehi, after a viral TikTok video showed him threatening to kill anyone who records him while on duty.

According to Premium Times, the officer was seen in the video making the threat while carrying a rifle during an operation.

“Any day I’m on duty with my rifle as an officer, let anybody video me. I will make sure I kill that person,” the officer said in the viral clip.

Following public outrage over the video, the police authorities confirmed the officer’s arrest in a statement issued on Thursday by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Ngozi Ezeabata, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu.

The statement said the command swiftly identified and detained the officer after reviewing the footage.

“The officer is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Newton Isokpehi, serving in the command,” the statement noted.

The command added that disciplinary proceedings had commenced against the officer in line with police regulations and ethical standards.

Police authorities also disclosed that the officer had undergone a drug test as part of the ongoing investigation aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Orutugu, condemned the officer’s conduct, describing it as unprofessional and contrary to the values of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined institution that will not condone misconduct, abuse of office, incitement, or any form of unprofessional behaviour capable of undermining public trust and confidence,” the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.

The command assured residents that the outcome of the disciplinary process would be made public and appropriate sanctions imposed if the officer is found guilty.

The police also advised officers in the state command to remain professional and emotionally balanced in the discharge of their duties.

Meanwhile, the command commended members of the public and civil society organisations for supporting efforts aimed at improving accountability within the police system.

It could be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, had in March ruled that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers carrying out their duties in public. The newspaper also reported that the Head of the Police Complaint Response Unit, Anietie Iniedu, later described the judgement as a step that could improve policing and accountability in the country.