Trending 
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims that a viral video shows a police officer interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals featured are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters supporting security operations.
In a statement on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, said the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in the Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
“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,” the police said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised 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.”
The force explained that “the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety.”
Nigeria done finish wallahi 😭💔 police are greeting bandits on a highway. pic.twitter.com/fUIhqcVO72
— KILIYA (@musa_kiliya) June 24, 2026
The police described the narrative accompanying the video as “entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations,” it added.
The police urged “members of the public 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 authorised government sources.”
“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,” the police said.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment 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.”
