Police Dismiss Viral Video Claim, Say Armed Men Seen with Officer Are Security Volunteers

Rita Enemuru, Reporting

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims that a police officer was seen interacting with bandits in a viral video circulating on social media, insisting that the armed men featured in the footage are recognised community security volunteers assisting security agencies in Katsina State.

The clarification came amid widespread online speculation that the video showed a police officer fraternising with bandits, raising concerns among members of the public.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, said the individuals seen in the video were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

According to the police, the video captured a routine interaction between the officer and the security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities.

The Force described the narrative accompanying the video as false and misleading, stressing that the claims were aimed at creating a wrong impression about the activities of security personnel.

“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” the statement said.

The police further stated that the footage merely showed a routine engagement between the officer and the volunteers during a security operation.

“The video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety. Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public,” Iniedu added.

The NPF condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation, warning that such actions could create unnecessary public anxiety, weaken confidence in security institutions and hinder ongoing security operations.

“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 said.

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

It also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security that they could face legal consequences.

Reaffirming its commitment to community-based security initiatives, the police said it would continue to work with legitimate security volunteers and other stakeholders to protect lives and combat crime across the country.

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