The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in a viral video recorded in Katsina State.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The police described the narrative accompanying the video as false and misleading, insisting that the individuals seen in the footage were recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters assisting security agencies in ongoing operations in Katsina State.
According to the statement, the individuals featured in the video were “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 Force explained that the footage merely captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they headed to an operational area to support efforts aimed at combating crime and enhancing public safety.
“The video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety,” the statement read.
The police maintained that allegations suggesting that the officer was fraternising with bandits were unfounded.
“Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public,” the statement added.
The Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and warned that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary panic, erode public trust in security institutions and undermine ongoing security operations.
It urged members of the public to disregard the claims attached to the video and rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
The police also warned that individuals involved in creating or spreading false information capable of threatening public peace and security could face legal consequences.
The statement reiterated the commitment of the Force to collaborating with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders in the fight against crime across the country.
