The Nigeria Police Force said a policeman, Newton Isokpehi, who threatened to kill anyone who records him while on duty in a viral video, has been arrested.

It stated that an immediate disciplinary action had been ordered against the cop.

The Force spokesperson, Anthony Placid, earlier told the Peoples Gazette on Thursday that Mr Isokpehi had been “arrested and would face a disciplinary action.”

Mr Placid in a follow-up statement said, “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. Such actions run contrary to the ongoing reform initiatives of the Force aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, professionalism, and citizen-focused policing.”

It added that Mr Isokpehi’s threat contradicted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu’s statement that members of the public had the right to lawfully record cops carrying out their duties, provided such recording didn’t 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.

“The Nigeria Police Force does not tolerate threats, intimidation, abuse of office, or any conduct capable of undermining public trust and confidence in law enforcement institutions,” the police said.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Isokpehi in a viral video said, “Any day I am on duty as a 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. The number of you that I kill, he will be the one to bury all of you.”

Amid public outrage over the statement, the cop immediately recanted and apologised to the public.