Source: Africa Publicity
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed as false and misleading claims accompanying a viral video circulating on social media alleging that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force said: “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.”
According to the police, the video shared by former Nigerian Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, showed “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.”
The Force stressed that “any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.”
The NPF also condemned what it described as the deliberate spread of misinformation.
“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,” the statement said.
The police urged members of the public to ignore the claims attached to the video and seek information only from official sources.
“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,” the statement added.
The Force further warned against the creation and dissemination of false information.
“The Force warns 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.”
Reaffirming its commitment to community-based security partnerships, the police stated that it “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 statement was signed by CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
