Police dismiss claims of officer’s collaboration with bandits in viral Katsina video

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed allegations that a police officer was seen fraternising with armed bandits in a viral video recorded in Katsina State, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed a uniformed police officer interacting with a group of armed men on motorcycles. Many social media users alleged that the men were bandits and questioned the officer’s conduct.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, clarified that the individuals featured in the footage were not bandits but members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in the state.

According to the police, the video captured a routine interaction between the officer and the community security volunteers as they headed to a designated operational area to support efforts aimed at combating criminality in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies,” the statement said.

The Force accused those circulating the contrary narrative of deliberately distorting facts to mislead the public and undermine confidence in security institutions.

It warned that the spread of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety and disrupting security operations could attract legal consequences.

“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,” the statement added.

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

The NPF further reiterated its commitment to partnering with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders in efforts to tackle crime and safeguard communities across the country.