As Expected Police Force Take Disciplinary Action Against Officer Who Threatened To Kill People Filming Him
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has taken disciplinary action against Newton Isokpehi, a police officer seen in a video threatening to kill anyone who records him while he is on duty.
In the video, the officer also said he will shoot all the passengers inside a bus if anyone there tried to film him during an operation.
Isokpehi said he had spent 26 years in service and complained about the poor conditions faced by police officers.
He further threatened that anyone who records him would face deadly consequences, while blaming senior officers for allowing members of the public to film policemen on duty.
Reacting to the incident on Thursday, Anthony Placid, spokesperson of the force, said the officer has been invited to the Anambra State Police Command headquarters and disciplinary action has already begun.
Placid said the police do not “tolerate threats, intimidation, abuse of office, or any conduct capable of undermining public trust and confidence in law enforcement institutions”.
He also said citizens have the legal right to record police officers while carrying out their duties, as long as the recording does not disrupt operations or endanger anyone.
“The force wishes to state unequivocally that the conduct and utterances exhibited in the video are unacceptable, unprofessional, and inconsistent with the ethics, standards, and code of conduct of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.
“Such actions run contrary to the ongoing reform initiatives of the Force aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, professionalism, and citizen-focused policing.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has consistently maintained that members of the public have the right to lawfully record police officers carrying out their duties, provided such recording does not obstruct operations, compromise safety, or interfere with lawful police activities.
“In line with this position, the officer involved has since been identified and summoned to the Anambra State Command Headquarters where immediate disciplinary procedures have commenced.
“A formal statement detailing the outcome of the disciplinary measures taken against the officer will be communicated in due course.”
