It began with a video.
The short clip, which surfaced early Monday morning, showed Nollywood actress and singer Angela Okorie jogging along a quiet, upscale street. But it wasn’t the workout that caught Nigerians’ attention — it was the armed policeman jogging closely behind her, cradling an AK-47, seemingly assigned as her personal escort.
The video, originally posted on Angela’s Instagram story with upbeat music and motivational captions, quickly went viral. Within hours, social media platforms buzzed with debates: Was this a misuse of police personnel? Was Angela in danger? Or was this just another case of celebrity privilege?
The pressure mounted, and by Tuesday afternoon, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to issue a response.
In a strongly-worded post that carried both professional composure and veiled frustration, SP Edafe wrote:
>The Nigeria Police Force is not a fitness escort agency. Officers are not assigned to celebrities for jogging sessions with rifles slung over their shoulders. We’ve seen the video, and it’s under investigation.”
The PPRO’s reaction sent another wave through the internet. Many Nigerians applauded the swift acknowledgment, praising the Delta Police Command for taking a stance against the growing perception that entertainers and socialites could use police officers as status symbols.
When reached for further comment by journalists, SP Edafe elaborated:
>The uniformed officer in that video is being identified and will be summoned for questioning. If found to be officially deployed for such a purpose without proper justification, disciplinary actions will follow. Our officers are meant to protect lives and property, not parade behind celebrities during fitness routines.”
Angela Okorie, however, was unfazed. She addressed the controversy in a now-deleted Instagram Live session, claiming she had received threats in the past and that the police escort was a precaution:
>If something happens to me tomorrow, they’ll be the same people asking why I didn’t have protection. Let them talk. My safety is my priority.”
Still, critics argue that there’s a difference between legitimate security concerns and public displays that undermine the institution’s credibility.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police was reportedly briefed on the incident, with sources hinting that a new directive may be issued regarding the public deployment of police officers for private citizens—especially public figures—without proper documentation.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians see the incident as another reflection of deeper issues within the system: accountability, privilege, and the need for a clearer boundary between public service and personal convenience.
For now, the video remains etched in public memory — not as a motivational workout clip, but as a symbol of a larger conversation Nigeria is long overdue to have.
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