The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as false a viral video claiming a uniformed officer was seen “interacting with armed bandits” in Katsina State, insisting the men in the footage are registered vigilantes and hunters supporting security operations.
In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the NPF said the individuals featured are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters working with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
“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. “Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The Force condemned the “deliberate distortion of facts and circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations.”
It urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information from official police and government channels. The police also warned that individuals or groups spreading false information that threatens public peace and security risk legal action.
Reaffirming its stance, the NPF said it remains committed to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other partners to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime nationwide.
The clarification comes amid rising tension in parts of Katsina over banditry, with community volunteers playing an active role alongside formal security agencies in intelligence gathering and local patrols.
