Nigeria's police force has pushed back against a widely shared video from Katsina State. The NPF says the footage does not show officers meeting with bandits, as some claimed online.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu made the clarification in a statement released Wednesday. He said the video had been deliberately twisted to mislead the public.
According to police, the people in the clip aren't criminals. They are registered members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and licensed hunters working with security agencies.
These volunteers operate in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State. They help combat crime in the region, police noted.
The footage merely captures a police officer meeting with security volunteers before heading to an operational zone, the force explained. Nothing improper happened in that interaction.
Police described the allegations as entirely false and designed to confuse Nigerians. They warned that spreading lies about such matters could damage public trust in security institutions.
Misinformation of this kind also endangers ongoing operations against criminals, officials said. It stirs unnecessary panic among residents.
The NPF has called on Nigerians to ignore the false claims circulating online. Citizens should only trust information released through official police channels and government sources.
Anyone caught creating or spreading false information threatening public peace faces legal consequences, the force warned. That includes individuals and organized groups alike.
Police condemned what they called a distortion of facts surrounding the video. They remain committed to working with volunteers and hunters to improve security across affected areas.
