The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading the narrative accompanying a viral video circulating on social media which claims that a uniformed police officer was seen fraternizing with armed bandits in Katsina State.
In an official statement issued by the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Police described the allegation as a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at misleading the public, eroding confidence in Nigeria's security institutions, and undermining ongoing efforts to combat insecurity in the country.
According to the Force, the individuals seen in the viral footage are not bandits. Rather, they are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) alongside registered local hunters who are officially supporting security operations in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The Police explained that the video merely captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these community security volunteers as they moved toward a designated operational area to participate in coordinated security activities. Such collaboration, the Force noted, forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing, and combat criminal activities across vulnerable communities.
The NPF stressed that portraying the interaction as evidence of collaboration between police officers and bandits is entirely false, malicious, and intended to deceive members of the public.
Over the years, community-based security initiatives such as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters have played supportive roles in complementing the work of conventional security agencies, particularly in rural communities facing threats from banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes. Working under established legal and operational frameworks, these local security volunteers often provide intelligence, terrain familiarity, and logistical support during security operations.
The Police expressed concern that the growing spread of misinformation on digital platforms poses a serious threat to national security by creating unnecessary public anxiety, fueling distrust, and potentially disrupting carefully coordinated security operations. The Force warned that false narratives surrounding security matters can have significant consequences, including weakening public cooperation with law enforcement agencies and emboldening criminal elements.
Consequently, the Nigeria Police Force urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading claims attached to the viral video and to rely solely on information released through its official communication channels and other authorized government sources.
The Force further cautioned individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing, or sharing false information capable of threatening public peace and national security to desist immediately. It warned that those found deliberately spreading misinformation may face appropriate legal consequences in accordance with Nigerian laws.
The Police reiterated that safeguarding public safety requires responsible communication from both traditional and social media users. Citizens were encouraged to verify sensitive information before sharing it, especially when such content relates to national security or ongoing law enforcement operations.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country, the Nigeria Police Force emphasized that it will continue to strengthen collaboration with legitimate community-based security stakeholders, including recognized vigilante organizations, registered hunters, and other relevant partners. According to the Force, these partnerships remain an important component of broader strategies aimed at improving intelligence gathering, preventing crime, and enhancing security in communities affected by criminal activities.
The statement concluded by assuring Nigerians that the Police remain dedicated to maintaining professionalism, transparency, and effective collaboration with all lawful stakeholders in the collective effort to combat crime, preserve public order, and ensure the safety of lives and property nationwide.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on 24 June 2026.
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