The Nigeria Police Force has described as false and misleading narrative a viral video on the social media in which some police officers in uniform were seen interacting with alleged armed bandits in Katsina State.
The Police Headquarters, in a release, dated 24 June, 2026, by the FPRO, CSP Aniette Okokon Edem Iniedu, stated that those seen in the video were not armed bandits, but recognised members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).
Details of the viral video
The law enforcement agency stated in its official reaction, as contained in the press release, that what the viral video depicted was a false and misleading narrative.
Reaffirming partnership with community security volunteers, it categorically declared: “for the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits.
“They are duly recognised 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 were urged to disregard the misleading claims attached to the visual and advised to rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the police and other authorised government sources.
Individuals and groups were warned to immediately desist from engaging in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information.
The law enforcement agency added that such false information were capable of prejudicing public peace and security, warning that 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,” it was added in the release.
The sharing of false information and deliberate disinformation has assumed a more worrisome dimension across the country, with members of the public becoming more confused about the increasing insecurity in the land.
Governments at all levels, security agencies and other critical stakeholders appeared helpless as purveyors of fake news continued with their activities, uncensored.
In Oyo State, the state Police Command, on Wednesday, denied inviting a traditional ruler for questioning over his alleged role in the abduction of school pupils and teachers in his domain.
The rebuttal by the law enforcement agency in the state came on the heels of a social media report that the traditional ruler, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, the Elesinele of Esinele, was allegedly involved in the abduction which happened on 15 May, 2026.
The state Police Command, stated in a disclaimer by its PRO, DSP Alayande Olayinka, that there was no time the traditional ruler was invited for questioning.
The Command had categorically stated that the report was false, unfounded, and misleading.
“At no time was the said traditional ruler invited for questioning in relation to the ongoing investigation [into the abduction of the school pupils and their teachers]”, it was stated in the rebuttal.
It also described the report as “part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation and disinformation orchestrated by criminal elements aimed at creating unnecessary tension…”
The Oyo Police Command had similarly advised members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of jeopardising security operations in the state.
