Police Clarifies Viral Video Involving Vigilantes in Katsina

The Nigeria Police Force issued a statement on Wednesday clarifying that an officer featured in a viral video interacting with armed individuals was not engaging with bandits but was instead with a registered vigilante group in Katsina State. The police identified the individuals in the video as members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, who are recognized hunters assisting security agencies in ongoing operations in the Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.

The police emphasized that the video depicted a routine interaction between the officer and the vigilante members, aimed at supporting efforts to combat crime and enhance public safety. They condemned claims suggesting otherwise as entirely false and malicious, warning that such misinformation could cause public anxiety and undermine confidence in security institutions.

The police urged the public to disregard misleading claims and rely on information released through official channels, warning that legal action may be taken against those disseminating false information.