Abuja, Nigeria — June 24, 2026 — The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false a viral video suggesting that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals involved are recognised community security volunteers supporting official operations.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police said the individuals in the footage are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters collaborating with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
“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 and registered hunters actively supporting ongoing security operations,” the statement said.
According to the police, the video captured a routine interaction between an officer and the volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to assist in combating criminal activities and improving public safety.
The Force described claims portraying the individuals as bandits as “false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public,” warning that such misinformation could create panic, erode trust in security institutions, and undermine ongoing operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety,” the statement added.
The police urged the public to disregard the misleading narrative and rely on verified information from official channels, cautioning that individuals or groups spreading false information could face legal consequences.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts in tackling crime and safeguarding lives across the country.
