“‘Na Him Be This?!’ Officer’s Reaction After Recognising Harrison Sets Social Media Ablaze”
.......As Police Stop, Search Harrison Gwamnishu Over Gold Chain, Laptop Bag; Video Sparks Fresh Debate on Citizens' Right to Film Officers
By Passman Akpos
A video circulating online has reignited public debate over police conduct and the rights of Nigerians during stop-and-search operations after social advocate Harrison Gwamnishu alleged he was harassed by police officers while travelling in a commercial tricycle (popularly known as a keke).
According to Gwamnishu, he was stopped after wearing a gold chain, carrying a laptop bag, and boarding a keke. He claimed the encounter reflected the growing concern that many young Nigerians face profiling and repeated police checks.
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“I wore a Gold chain, picked my laptop bag and entered a keke. See police harassment left and right. Young people are in danger,” he wrote while reacting to the incident.
He further stated that if such an encounter could happen to him as a public figure, ordinary Nigerians without public visibility might face even greater challenges.
In the video obtained by Tarakirivoice, one of the officers is seen searching Gwamnishu’s laptop bag while objecting to being recorded.The officer repeatedly told Gwamnishu not to film him without his consent.
Responding, Gwamnishu insisted that he was within his rights to record the interaction, arguing that the officer was a public official carrying out official duties.
“Are you not a public officer? I have the right to video you,” he said.
The situation became more tense when the officer demanded to inspect Gwamnishu’s mobile phone.
“Let me see your phone,” the officer demanded.”You can’t see it,” Gwamnishu replied.Moments later, the officer called for his superior officer (OC). After arriving at the scene, the OC asked the officer whether he knew the man he had stopped.
When the officer answered that he did not, the OC reportedly asked, “You don’t know Harrison?”The officer then reacted in apparent surprise, exclaiming, “Na him be this?!”
Following the incident, Gwamnishu maintained that recording police officers performing public duties is not a crime and argued that professional officers acting within the law should have no reason to object to being filmed in public spaces.
He also questioned whether existing directives of the Nigeria Police Force on professionalism, human rights, and public accountability are being effectively communicated to officers on patrol.
The incident has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians renewing calls for improved police professionalism, accountability, and respect for citizens’ constitutional rights during stop-and-search operations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to the specific allegations or the viral video. The report reflects Gwamnishu’s account and the contents of the video said to have been obtained by Tarakirivoice.
