Police Dismiss Viral Katsina Video Claim, Say Armed Men Are Registered Vigilantes

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a viral video showing a police officer interacting with armed men in Katsina State depicts collaboration with bandits, describing the narrative as false and misleading.

According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the armed individuals seen in the video are registered members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and licensed hunters working alongside security agencies in ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

The police explained that the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they were heading to a designated operational area to support efforts aimed at tackling criminality and improving public safety.

The Force said assertions that the officer was fraternising with bandits were entirely false, malicious and intended 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 confidence in security institutions and undermining ongoing security operations.

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

The statement also warned individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing or circulating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, stressing that violators could face legal action.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with legitimate community-based security groups, including the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters, as part of efforts to combat crime, protect lives and strengthen security across the country.