Police clarify viral Katsina footage; insist armed men are Vigilantes, not bandits

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed widespread claims linking a police officer captured in a viral video from Katsina State to suspected bandits, clarifying that the armed individuals seen in the footage are recognised community security volunteers assisting law enforcement operations.

The Force described the narrative surrounding the video as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among members of the public, particularly at a time when security agencies are strengthening partnerships with local security groups to combat criminal activities in vulnerable communities.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police said preliminary investigations and operational records confirmed that the men featured in the video are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting security operations in parts of Katsina State.

According to the statement, the volunteers are working alongside conventional security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas as part of ongoing efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats affecting communities in the region.

The police explained that contrary to claims circulating on social media, the footage did not depict any form of collaboration between law enforcement personnel and criminal elements.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Ndume backs State Police Bill, warns Senate against rubber-stamping presidential proposals

The Force further clarified that the video merely captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved toward a designated operational area.

According to the police, such engagements are part of established security arrangements aimed at improving intelligence gathering, strengthening community policing efforts, and enhancing the effectiveness of operations against criminal groups operating in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Security authorities noted that the collaboration between formal security agencies and recognised local security outfits has become increasingly important in addressing evolving security challenges, particularly in states affected by banditry and other forms of violent crime.

The Force warned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining public confidence in security institutions or creating unnecessary tension within communities.

It urged citizens and social media users to verify sensitive security-related information through official channels before sharing such content, stressing that misinformation can hinder ongoing operations and weaken efforts to maintain public safety.

The police also reaffirmed their commitment to working with lawful community-based security groups in accordance with existing regulations and operational guidelines, noting that such partnerships remain critical in supporting efforts to safeguard lives and property.

The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the North-West, where security agencies continue to intensify operations against bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal networks threatening peace and stability in affected communities.

The Force assured residents of Katsina State and Nigerians generally that security agencies remain focused on combating criminality and maintaining law and order, while urging the public to continue supporting ongoing security operations through credible information sharing and community cooperation.