The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media that a police officer was seen fraternizing with armed bandits in Katsina State, clarifying that the individuals featured in the viral video are recognized community security volunteers assisting security agencies in the fight against crime.
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In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the Police explained that the persons captured in the video are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are working in partnership with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
According to the statement, the footage showed a routine interaction between a police officer and the security volunteers as they were heading to a designated operational area to support ongoing efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and improving public safety in the affected communities.
“The individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies,” the statement said.
The Force described reports portraying the interaction as a meeting between police personnel and bandits as “entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The Police further condemned what it termed the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation capable of creating public anxiety, eroding trust in security institutions, and undermining ongoing security operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations,” CSP Iniedu stated.
The Force urged members of the public to disregard the misleading narrative attached to the video and rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government sources.
It also warned individuals and groups involved in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action may be taken against offenders.
Reaffirming its commitment to community-based security initiatives, the Nigeria Police Force emphasized that it will continue to collaborate with legitimate local security stakeholders and other relevant partners to protect lives, secure communities, and combat crime across the country.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective effort to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime across the country,” the statement added.
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