The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as false and misleading claims accompanying a viral video on social media which alleged that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force clarified that the individuals featured in the video were not bandits but duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the police, the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they headed to a designated operational area to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities and enhance public safety.
The Force condemned what it described as a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at misleading the public, warning that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary panic, erode public trust in security institutions, and undermine ongoing security operations.
The police urged members of the public to disregard the claims attached to the video and rely only on information released through official channels and authorized government sources.
It also warned that individuals or groups involved in creating and disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security could face legal consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders in the fight against crime and the protection of lives and property across the country.
