The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals featured in the viral video are legitimate security volunteers supporting ongoing operations in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force spokesperson, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police said the individuals shown in the video are recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
According to the statement, the footage captured a routine interaction between a uniformed officer and the security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to assist efforts aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing public safety.
The NPF stressed that allegations portraying the volunteers as bandits are entirely false, malicious, and designed to mislead the public.
It condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation capable of creating public anxiety, eroding trust in security institutions, and undermining 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.
It also warned individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing, or disseminating false information that could threaten public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action may be taken against offenders.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Force said it would continue to work closely with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other partners to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime across the country.
