Police Debunk Viral Katsina Video, Identify Armed Men as Vigilantes

 

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the narrative as false, misleading, and intended to misinform the public.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police clarified that the individuals featured in the viral video are not bandits but duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working in support of security operations in the state.

According to the statement, the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

“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,” the statement said.

The Force noted that the security volunteers have been partnering with law enforcement agencies in efforts aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing public safety in affected communities.

Police authorities condemned what they described as the deliberate distortion of facts surrounding the footage, warning that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions, and hamper ongoing security operations.

The NPF urged members of the public to disregard the claims attached to the video and rely only on information released through official police channels and other authorized government sources.

The statement further warned individuals and groups involved in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist immediately, stressing that legal action may be taken against violators.

Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to collaborate with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective fight against crime across the country.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the spread of unverified security-related content on social media, with authorities repeatedly urging citizens to verify information before sharing it online.