Video: Police denies viral Katsina banditry video, confirms vigilante collaboration
Police
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as false a viral social media video that purported to show a uniformed officer interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
The Force in a statement on Thursday clarified that the individuals in the video are not bandits but members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are supporting ongoing security operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.
“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 in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” said CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer.
According to the police statement, the footage shows a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to assist efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety.
The Force described claims that the men were bandits as “entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The statement warned that deliberate distortion of facts and circulation of misinformation can cause public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions, and frustrate ongoing operations.
“Members of the public are urged to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government sources,” the Force added.
The police also cautioned those creating or sharing false information that legal action may be taken against violators.
CSP Iniedu reiterated the Force’s commitment to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and partners to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime nationwide.
