By The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a viral video from Katsina State showed a police officer interacting with armed bandits, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday June 24, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police clarified that the armed individuals seen in the video are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in Katsina State.
According to the statement, the volunteers are actively supporting security operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas as part of efforts to tackle criminal activities and improve public safety.
The police explained that the footage captured a routine engagement between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they were heading to an operational area, insisting that the individuals in the video are not bandits.
”The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies.” the statement read.
The Force condemned what it described as the deliberate misrepresentation of the video, warning that the spread of false information could create unnecessary public anxiety, weaken confidence in security institutions and undermine ongoing security operations.
”Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.” the police stated.
The police urged Nigerians to disregard the narrative attached to the viral video and rely only on verified information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies.
The statement also warned that individuals or groups responsible for creating or spreading false information capable of threatening public peace and security could face legal consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to working with recognised community security groups and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting lives, securing communities and combating crime across the country.
