The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed allegations that a police officer seen in a viral video was interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, the Force said the individuals featured in the video were not bandits but members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working with security agencies in parts of the state.
According to the police, the video showed a routine interaction between an officer and the security volunteers as they headed to an operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities.
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The Force described claims linking the individuals to banditry as false and misleading, alleging that the narrative was intended to misinform the public.
“The individuals featured in the video are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations,” the statement said.
The police also condemned what it described as the deliberate spread of misinformation, warning that false reports could create public anxiety, weaken trust in security institutions and disrupt security operations.
The Force urged members of the public to rely on information released through its official communication channels and other authorised government sources.
It further warned that individuals found creating or circulating false information capable of threatening public peace and security could face legal consequences.
The statement reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working with community-based security groups and other stakeholders in efforts to combat crime and protect lives across the country.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu.
The Nigeria Police Force shared the clarification on its official X account:
https://x.com/PoliceNG/status/2069883191138115636
