Odita Sunday 
Police Dismiss Viral Katsina Video Narrative, Say Armed Men Are Security Volunteers
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen fraternising with armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the narrative accompanying a viral video as false and misleading.
According to CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, the individuals featured in the video are recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working with security agencies to combat criminal activities in parts of Katsina State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Iniedu explained that the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area in support of ongoing security operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria 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,” he said.
The police spokesperson noted that any claim suggesting that the officer was interacting with bandits was “entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions and frustrating ongoing security operations.
According to Iniedu, members of the public should disregard the claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
He further warned individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing or disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, stressing that appropriate legal action could be taken against violators.
The Force reiterated its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other partners in efforts to protect lives, secure communities and combat crime across the country.
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