The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) says it has pardoned Nollywood actress and rapper Mercy Isoyip, popularly known as Descushiel, for wrongly reciting the National Anthem at a police retreat in Imo State.

“To Err is Human…,” the police said on their X page. “NPF Pardons Mercy Isoyip, aka @Descushiel after actress muddled up National Anthem lyrics.”

In a viral video, the actress, dressed in a police uniform, sang the anthem wrongly at the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, graced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, among other dignitaries. 

Towards the end of the three-day retreat, Egbetokun said Descushiel may have developed stage fright and pleaded with Nigerians to forgive her.

“A young lady was brought on stage to sing the national anthem, and towards the end, I think stage fright caught up with her, and she made a mistake, which became a whole lot of issue, especially on social media,” said Egbetokun.

The actress faced online criticism as many Nigerians assumed she was an actual policewoman due to her attire.

Following the criticism, she apologised to Nigerians and the police via her Instagram, acknowledging the respect the national anthem deserves.

“I acknowledge and understand the importance of the National anthem and am deeply sorry. I regret that I fell short in upholding the respect and reverence that it deserves from the Nigerian police,” she said.

She also apologised to the dignitaries present at the event, including the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam.