Police Dismiss Viral Katsina Video Claims, Say Armed Men Are Registered Vigilantes
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media that a viral video from Katsina State showed a police officer interacting with armed bandits.
In a statement, the Force clarified that the individuals seen in the footage are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are officially recognized and actively supporting security operations in parts of Katsina State.
According to the police, the video captured a routine interaction between a serving police officer and the community security volunteers as they were heading to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas to assist in ongoing efforts against criminal activities.
The NPF stressed that claims portraying the men in the video as bandits are entirely false and were deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters working in collaboration with security agencies,” the statement said.
The Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could create public anxiety, erode confidence in security institutions, and undermine ongoing security operations.
The police urged members of the public to disregard the narrative attached to the video and rely only on information released through official police channels and other authorized government sources.
The NPF also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that offenders could face legal consequences.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling insecurity, the Force said it would continue to work closely with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders to protect lives, secure communities, and combat crime across the country.
