However, the Nigeria Police Force has dismissed the allegation, describing the narrative attached to the video as false, misleading, and intended to create unnecessary public anxiety.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the individuals seen in the video are not bandits but recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies in Katsina State.
The police explained that the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and the community security volunteers as they moved to a designated operational area in support of ongoing efforts to tackle crime and improve public safety in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
The Force stressed that any suggestion that the individuals were bandits is completely inaccurate and does not reflect the reality of the situation.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the Nigeria Police viral Katsina video, the Force condemned what it described as the deliberate distortion of facts and the spread of misinformation capable of undermining confidence in security institutions and disrupting security operations.
Police authorities urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it online and to rely on official communication channels for accurate updates on security matters.
The statement also warned individuals and groups involved in creating or spreading false information that legal action could be taken against anyone found deliberately publishing content capable of threatening public peace and security.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to working with legitimate community-based security groups, including registered vigilantes and hunters, to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting lives and property across the country.
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