The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a viral video showed police officers interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

The controversy erupted after footage surfaced online showing a police officer engaging with a group of armed men riding motorcycles, prompting speculation that security personnel were collaborating with criminal groups. However, police authorities said the individuals in the video were recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters assisting security agencies in ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, explained that the footage captured a routine interaction between a police officer and community security volunteers as they moved toward a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and improve public safety.

Security sources further stated that the volunteers are part of approved community-based security structures working alongside conventional security agencies to strengthen counter-banditry operations across vulnerable communities in Katsina State.

The Police Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and warned against the spread of misinformation capable of undermining public confidence in security institutions and disrupting ongoing security operations. Authorities urged members of the public to verify information through official channels before sharing security-related content online.

The clarification comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies and community volunteers to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and other security challenges across Nigeria’s North-West region. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.