Police Debunk Viral Katsina Video, Say Armed Men Seen With Officer Are Security Volunteers

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that a viral video from Katsina State showed a police officer fraternising with armed bandits, clarifying that the individuals in the footage are recognised community security volunteers supporting ongoing security operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the police said the armed men seen in the video are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

According to the statement, the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the volunteers as they travelled to a designated operational area to support efforts aimed at tackling insecurity in the state.

“The individuals featured in the video are recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively collaborating with security agencies in ongoing operations,” the statement said.

The Force maintained that claims portraying the volunteers as bandits are entirely false and designed to mislead the public.

Police authorities noted that the volunteers have been assisting security agencies in combating criminal activities and enhancing public safety in communities affected by security challenges across the state.

The NPF also condemned what it described as the deliberate spread of misinformation and distortion of facts, warning that such narratives could generate unnecessary public anxiety, erode trust in security institutions, and undermine ongoing efforts to address insecurity.

The Force urged members of the public to verify information through official channels before sharing content on social media, stressing the need for responsible communication, particularly on issues relating to national security.

It reaffirmed its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security groups and other stakeholders to strengthen security operations and safeguard lives and property across the country.