The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has categorically debunked what it called false and misleading narrative accompanying a viral video circulating on social media which alleged that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with a large number of armed bandits moving motorcycles in Katsina State.
A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anietie Iniedu, on Wednesday night said contrary to the social media narrative, the people in the said video were registered members of a local vigilante and hunters group, and not bandits in the State.
The NPF, therefore, condemned 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, even as it urged members of the public to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels Partnershipof the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government sources.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) 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 video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety. Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.
“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.
“Members of the public are urged to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government sources,” CSP Iniedu sated.
The Force further warned individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security to desist immediately, as appropriate legal action may be taken against violators.
“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 Police spokesman added.
