Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has categorically dismissed viral social media footage that appeared to show a uniformed officer interacting with armed men on motorcycles in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals are not bandits but registered vigilantes and hunters supporting security operations in the region. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, issued a statement on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, urging the public to disregard what he described as a "false and misleading narrative" that had sparked widespread anxiety and condemnation online.
"The Nigeria Police Force categorically disclaims the false and misleading narrative accompanying a viral video circulating on social media which alleges that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State," Iniedu said in the statement. "For the avoidance of doubt, 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."
According to the police spokesperson, the footage, which had been shared thousands of times across various platforms, captured a routine interaction between the officer and community-based security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area. The police said the volunteers were part of coordinated efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety in the North-West state, which has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime.
The police force strongly condemned what it termed the "deliberate distortion of facts" and the circulation of misinformation, warning that such actions could cause public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions, and frustrate ongoing security operations. Iniedu stressed that any claim suggesting the officer was fraternising with bandits was "entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public." He urged Nigerians to rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
The statement also carried a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing, or disseminating false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security. "The Force warns individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security to desist immediately, as appropriate legal action may be taken against violators," Iniedu added.
The clarification comes amid sustained security operations across Katsina and other parts of the North-West, where security agencies have increasingly worked with registered vigilante groups and local hunters to strengthen intelligence gathering, support patrol operations, and counter banditry. The police reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative security efforts, stating that partnerships with legitimate community-based stakeholders remain essential in the fight against crime.
"The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective effort to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime across the country," the statement concluded. The development highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria's security landscape, where unverified claims and viral footage can quickly escalate tensions and undermine trust in law enforcement. As the police continue their operations in Katsina, the public has been urged to exercise caution and verify information before sharing.
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