Police dismiss banditry claims in viral Katsina video

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted claims that a viral video circulating on social media showed a police officer interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force said the narrative accompanying the video was false and misleading, insisting that the individuals seen in the footage were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in the state.

According to the police, the individuals featured in the video are recognised community security volunteers supporting ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

The Force explained that the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to assist in efforts aimed at combating crime and improving public safety.

The police described allegations that the individuals were bandits as malicious and intended to mislead the public.

The statement condemned what it called a deliberate distortion of facts and warned against the spread of misinformation capable of creating public anxiety, eroding confidence in security institutions and undermining ongoing security operations.

The NPF urged members of the public to disregard the claims attached to the video and rely on information released through official police channels and other authorised government sources.

The Force also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or circulating false information that could threaten public peace and security to desist, noting that offenders could face legal consequences.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to working with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders in efforts to protect lives, secure communities and tackle crime across the country.