‎Police Debunk Viral Katsina Video, Say Armed Men Are Registered Vigilantes ‎

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a serving police officer was seen fraternising with armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the allegation as false, misleading and intended to undermine public confidence in security agencies.
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‎In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police clarified that the armed individuals featured in the viral video are recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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‎According to the statement, the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
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‎”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 security operations in collaboration with security agencies,” the statement said.
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‎The Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts, warning that the spread of misinformation could create unnecessary public anxiety, weaken trust in security institutions and hamper ongoing efforts to combat crime.
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‎The police urged members of the public to disregard the narrative attached to the video and rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
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‎The statement also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action could be taken against offenders.
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‎Reaffirming its commitment to community policing, the Force said it would continue to collaborate with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other partners to safeguard lives, protect communities and tackle criminality across the country.