Islamic Cleric Slams Police Defending Cops Waving At Cycle-Riding Armed Group In Video: ‘Are Vigilantes Now Being Given Heavy Weapons?’
A prominent northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada Sokoto, has criticised the Nigeria Police Force over its denial of a viral video showing armed men riding motorcycles in Katsina State, questioning efforts to portray the individuals as anything other than terrorists.
The cleric’s reaction followed a statement by the police dismissing widespread claims that a uniformed police officer was seen saluting armed bandits in the footage.
According to the police, the individuals captured in the video were not terrorists but local vigilantes.
However, Sheikh Asada rejected the explanation and shared another video in response, accusing the police of undermining public trust through what he described as a misleading narrative.
Speaking in Hausa, the cleric said the police, despite their efforts to combat insecurity, were contributing to growing suspicion and mistrust among Nigerians.
According to him, attempts to reclassify armed bandits as non-terrorists raised serious questions about the message being sent to the public.
“These groups of armed bandits were returning from a peace meeting, if the attempt is to say that they are not terrorists, what message is being passed to the public?” Asada asked.
“Honestly, despite the goodwill and confidence we have in the Nigeria Police Force for their efforts, they are the ones creating doubt and mistrust between themselves and Nigerians.
“By God, I felt ashamed when I saw a statement attributed to them regarding a circulating video in which they claimed that the men in the footage were not bandits, even though the old video clearly showed armed bandits returning from a peace meeting.
“Did they even listen to the audio in the Video? Are vigilantes now being given such heavy weapons? Do they realise how much that statement is damaging their credibility in the eyes of Nigerians?”
The controversy began after a video circulated widely on social media showing dozens of armed men riding motorcycles while a police officer in uniform appeared to salute them as they passed.
The footage stirred outrage and concern among Nigerians, many of whom identified the men as armed bandits responsible for years of attacks, killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling across communities in Nigeria’s North-West region.
In response to the public backlash, the police denied that the men were terrorists, insisting that they were members of local vigilante groups.
The explanation, however, has continued to generate criticism from several Nigerians, including Sheikh Asada, who argued that the visible weapons carried by the men and the circumstances surrounding the video were inconsistent with the police’s account.
The cleric maintained that statements perceived as shielding or downplaying the activities of armed groups risk eroding public confidence in security agencies at a time when communities across northern Nigeria continue to face persistent security threats.
“Bandits with their weapons are moving freely,” a man who recorded the video could be heard saying in Hausa.
However, another man in the vehicle quickly asked him to keep quiet.
“Please keep quiet, why are you talking?” he said.
In denying the video depicted bandits, the police statement by CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, 24th June, 2026, said in full:
“NPF CLARIFIES FALSE BANDITRY NARRATIVE IN VIRAL KATSINA VIDEO, REAFFIRMS PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY SECURITY VOLUNTEERS
“The Nigeria Police Force categorically disclaims the false and misleading narrative accompanying a viral video circulating on social media which alleges that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
