Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Police Command has announced that disciplinary proceedings and a drug test are underway against Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Newton Isokpehi, the officer who sparked nationwide outrage after a viral video showed him threatening to kill anyone who filmed him while on duty. In a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the command confirmed that Isokpehi had been identified, arrested, and that internal disciplinary procedures had been activated in line with the ethical standards and regulations of the Nigeria Police Force. The command also disclosed that the officer had been subjected to a drug test as part of efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
The controversy erupted on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, when a video posted on Isokpehi's TikTok account, "Newton isokpehi for life" with the username #actor459, began circulating widely across social media platforms. In the clip, the visibly agitated officer, armed and dressed in police uniform, spoke directly to the camera in Pidgin English, daring anyone to record him while he was on duty. "Any day I'm on duty with my rifle as an officer, let somebody video me. Let that Oga that gave you an order to video us, he'll come and bury you," he said. He went further, threatening to "clear everybody down," including bystanders in a bus, if anyone attempted to film him during operations. The video, which was later deleted, drew immediate and widespread condemnation from human rights activists, civil society groups, and ordinary Nigerians who viewed the threats as a direct assault on citizens' constitutional rights and an affront to public safety.
In its statement, the Anambra State Police Command, through Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Ngozi Ezeabata, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed that swift action had been taken as soon as the video came to the command's attention. "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. "In line with the disciplinary standards and ethical code of the Nigeria Police Force, internal disciplinary proceedings have since been activated against the officer."
The statement further noted that Isokpehi had been subjected to a drug test as part of the ongoing investigation. "As part of the ongoing investigation, the officer has also been subjected to a drug test to aid the Command in establishing all surrounding circumstances and ensuring a thorough and transparent process," the command added. The test is intended to determine whether the officer was under the influence of any substance that could have impaired his judgment or contributed to his unprofessional conduct.
Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu strongly condemned the officer's behaviour, describing it as unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of the Nigeria Police Force. "The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the conduct displayed by the officer in the video and reiterates that 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 read. Orutugu assured residents of Anambra State and the general public that the outcome of the disciplinary process would be made public and that any officer found culpable would face appropriate sanctions in line with police regulations and the law.
The command also used the opportunity to remind officers and men of the force to remain professional, emotionally balanced, and respectful while carrying out their lawful duties, especially at a time when the actions and conduct of security personnel are constantly subjected to public scrutiny through social media and other platforms. It expressed appreciation to members of the public, civil society organisations, and social media users for drawing attention to the incident, noting that public feedback contributes to accountability and improved policing. "The Command appreciates members of the public, civil society groups, and social media users who continue to assist the Police with credible information capable of improving service delivery and accountability," the statement said. "Residents are encouraged to continue reporting incidents or behaviours capable of undermining public peace, safety, and confidence in security agencies."
In a separate statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja also condemned Isokpehi's conduct, describing it as "unacceptable, unprofessional, and inconsistent with the ethics, standards, and code of conduct of the Nigeria Police Force." Placid noted that the IGP, Olatunji Disu, has consistently maintained that members of the public may lawfully record police officers performing their duties, provided that such recordings do not obstruct operations or compromise safety. "The Force further reiterates that recording police activities remains a legitimate tool for public accountability and transparency and should not, in itself, attract harassment or intimidation from police personnel while discharging their duties," Placid added.
The incident has shone a spotlight on the ongoing tension between law enforcement and citizens' rights in Nigeria. In March 2026, a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, ruled that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers performing their duties in public, setting a major precedent for accountability and civil liberties. The court held that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, includes the right to document matters of public interest, particularly the conduct of law enforcement agents. Isokpehi's threats appeared to directly contravene this judgment, exacerbating public outrage and leading to renewed calls for systemic reform within the police force.
Meanwhile, following the widespread backlash, Isokpehi posted a second video on his TikTok account in which he apologised for his comments, claiming they were made out of frustration. In the video, he displayed gunshot wounds on his body, which he said were sustained during active operations, and pleaded for forgiveness. "Please forgive me. If I offended you as a brother, forgive me. That statement was just out of annoyance because of the things that are happening. These things are painful," he said. He also insisted that citizens are permitted to film police officers but argued that the practice had been abused by some individuals. However, the apology was met with scepticism by many Nigerians, who continued to call for decisive disciplinary action against the officer.
As of the time of this report, ASP Newton Isokpehi remains in police custody. The Anambra State Police Command has not provided a timeline for the completion of the disciplinary process or the release of the drug test results. The outcome of the proceedings will be closely watched by civil society groups and members of the public who see the case as a test of the police force's commitment to accountability and internal discipline. With the IGP having previously vowed that "impunity will end, corruption will face zero tolerance and the Nigerian citizen will be treated as the ultimate authority in policing," the pressure is now on the force to demonstrate that such threats will not be tolerated and that officers who violate citizens' rights will face consequences.
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