‘They’re Vigilante Members’— NPF Debunks Claim Of Bandits Passing Police Checkpoints

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims that armed bandits were seen moving freely through police checkpoints in Katsina State, insisting that the men captured in a viral video are registered vigilante members and hunters assisting security agencies in ongoing operations.

The clarification came on Tuesday following widespread circulation of a video on social media alleging that a police officer was seen interacting with heavily armed bandits as they rode through a checkpoint in the state.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police described the allegations as “false and misleading,” stressing that the individuals in the footage were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters working alongside security agencies.

“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 statement said.

According to the police, the video merely captured a routine encounter between an officer and the security volunteers as they were heading to a designated operational area to support efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and improving public safety.

“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 statement added.

The force condemned what it described as a deliberate attempt to distort facts, warning that the spread of misinformation could heighten public anxiety, erode confidence in security institutions and undermine ongoing security operations.

“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,” Iniedu said.

The police urged Nigerians to ignore the claims attached to the viral video and rely only on information released through official channels.

The statement further warned individuals and groups involved in creating and disseminating false information capable of threatening public peace and security to desist, noting that legal action could be taken against offenders.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the police said it would continue to collaborate with legitimate community-based security outfits and other stakeholders in the fight against crime across the country.

“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 statement added.