The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in a viral video recorded in Katsina State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police described the narrative attached to the video as false, misleading, and intended to deceive the public.
According to the statement, the individuals featured in the footage are recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The Force explained that the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to support efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and improving public safety.
“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” the statement said.
The police condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could create unnecessary public anxiety, erode confidence in security institutions, and hinder ongoing security operations.
The Force urged members of the public to disregard the claims associated with the video and rely only on information released through official police channels and other authorised government sources.
It also warned individuals or groups involved in creating or disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action could be taken against offenders.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders in efforts to protect lives, secure communities, and combat crime across the country.
