Armed men in viral video being hailed by police officer are not bandit – Police

The New Media Officer of the Nigeria Police Force has reacted to a viral video of a police officer hailing some armed men plying a highway in Katsina recently.

The video shared online by former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Wednesday, June 24, showed many armed men suspected to be bandits riding on a motorcycle. The video showed the moment a police officer on the highway waved at them as they rode by.

Dalung, like many others, thought they were bandits and took to social media to express concerns.

However, in a statement released on social media, Giwa said the armed men are not bandits but are members of the Vigilante who are also collaborators in the f!ght against bandits and insurgents,

Read his statement below

‘’Please refrain from labeling them as bandits. They are actively engaged in combating banditry.

A video circulating online falsely claims that a police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State. This allegation is entirely false.

The individuals in the video are not criminals. They are members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and registered hunters partnering with the Police in ongoing operations in Musawa and Matazu LGAs to combat crime and protect their communities.

The video shows a routine interaction between an officer and community security volunteers as they proceed to a designated operational area.

Misrepresenting this interaction misleads the public, endangers genuine community security partners, and undermines ongoing efforts to protect these communities.

The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns this distortion. Spreading false security narratives that cause public anxiety and erode trust is not just harmless, it carries legal consequences.

To all Nigerians who viewed the video: the individuals shown are partners in your safety. They are vigilantes and hunters working with the Police, not against the law.

Please verify information before sharing. Misinformation has serious consequences”