Police reject allegations of officer interacting with bandits in viral Katsina video

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

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, described the claims as false, misleading, and aimed at deceiving the public.

According to the police, the individuals seen in the video are not bandits but recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who work alongside security agencies in ongoing operations across Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

The police explained that the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they were heading to an operational area to support efforts against criminal activities and improve public safety.

The Force condemned what it described as a deliberate distortion of facts, warning that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary panic, erode public confidence in security institutions, and hinder ongoing security operations.

“The claim that the individuals in the video are bandits is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public,” the statement said.

The NPF urged Nigerians to disregard the narrative attached to the video and rely only on information released through official police channels and authorised government sources.

The Force also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or spreading false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action could be taken against offenders.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating crime, the police said it would continue to work closely with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders to safeguard lives and protect communities across the country.