The Nigeria Police Force has debunked claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in a viral video recorded in Katsina State.
The video, which generated widespread reactions online, showed a uniformed police officer waving at and exchanging greetings with a group of armed men riding motorcycles. The footage sparked speculation among many social media users, who alleged that the men were bandits operating in the area.
But the Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the narrative attached to the video was false and misleading.
In a statement issued on June 24 by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police explained that the armed men seen in the video were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working in support of security agencies in Katsina State.
According to the statement, the encounter captured in the video was a routine interaction between the police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
The Force stressed that the volunteers were participating in ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities and strengthen security in the affected communities, contrary to claims that they were bandits.
"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," the statement said.
The police condemned what it described as the deliberate misrepresentation of the incident, warning that the spread of false information could create unnecessary fear among citizens, erode public trust in security institutions and hamper ongoing operations against criminal elements.
It also cautioned individuals and groups against disseminating unverified information capable of threatening public peace and security, noting that legal action could be taken against offenders.
The Force urged members of the public to verify security-related information through official channels and reiterated its commitment to working with recognised community security groups and other stakeholders in the fight against crime across the country.
The clarification comes amid heightened public concern over insecurity in parts of Katsina State and follows intense debate online over the identity of the armed men seen in the viral footage.
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