KATSINA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as false and misleading a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly showed a uniformed police officer interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals in the footage are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okonkon Edem Iniedu, the police explained that the video captured a routine interaction between the officer and security volunteers who were en route to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) 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 read.
The police strongly condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations.
“Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public,” the statement added.
The viral video had sparked widespread concern among Nigerians, with many expressing alarm over the alleged presence of uniformed personnel fraternising with suspected criminals. Social media users had called for immediate investigation and disciplinary action against the officer. However, the police clarification has sought to set the record straight and prevent further misinformation.
The Force further warned individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security to desist immediately, as appropriate legal action may be taken against violators.
Members of the public have been urged to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
The police also noted that the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters have been instrumental in supporting security operations across the North-West region, particularly in areas affected by banditry and kidnapping. Their collaboration with security agencies has contributed to intelligence gathering, patrols, and community engagement in the fight against criminality.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective effort to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime across the country.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media, which has often led to public panic and tension. Security analysts have called on citizens to verify information before sharing and to rely on official sources for updates on security matters.
As the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality continues, the police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The Force has also reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations, assuring the public that all security personnel are held to the highest standards of professionalism.
For now, the message from the police is clear: the officer in the viral video was not consorting with bandits but was engaged in routine collaboration with legitimate security volunteers. Nigerians have been urged to disregard the false narrative and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and stability to the region.
