Police Clarify Viral Katsina Video, Say Armed Men Were Vigilantes Supporting Security Operations

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police clarified that the armed individuals featured in the viral video were not bandits but recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

According to the police, the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they moved toward an operational area to support ongoing efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and improving public safety.

The Force described claims portraying the individuals as bandits as entirely false, malicious, and designed to mislead the public.

The NPF also condemned the deliberate spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could create unnecessary public panic, weaken trust in security institutions, and undermine ongoing security operations.

The public was advised to disregard the misleading narrative attached to the video and to rely only on information released through official police channels and other authorized government sources.

Furthermore, the police cautioned individuals and groups against creating, publishing, or sharing false information capable of threatening public peace and security, noting that legal action may be taken against offenders.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to collaborating with legitimate community-based security groups and relevant stakeholders to protect lives, secure communities, and combat crime across the country.