The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims that a viral video from Katsina State showed a police officer interacting with armed bandits, describing the narrative as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force said the individuals seen in the video were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working with security agencies in ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the police, the footage captured a routine interaction between an officer and the security volunteers as they headed to a designated operational area to support efforts against criminality.
“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 described reports suggesting otherwise as “entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The police also condemned what it called the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could create public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions, and disrupt ongoing operations.
It 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 authorised government sources.
The NPF further warned that individuals or groups involved in creating or sharing false information capable of threatening public peace and security could face legal action. It reaffirmed its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders to combat crime and protect lives across the country.
