A Catholic priest, , has dismissed the explanation given by the regarding a viral video showing heavily armed men riding motorcycles alongside police officers.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, shows armed individuals moving in convoy on motorcycles from one location to another, while a police officer carrying a rifle was seen appearing to acknowledge or wave at them. Background audio from the clip also sparked concern, with a passenger reportedly describing the riders as “barayin daji”—a Hausa expression commonly associated with armed bandits or terrorists.
Another passenger in the recording was heard questioning the use of the term, adding further tension to the interpretation of the scene.
In response to public reactions, police spokesperson Anietie Iniedu stated that the individuals in the video were members of the and registered hunters who were allegedly supporting ongoing security operations in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
However, reacting via a Facebook post, Fada Angelo strongly rejected the police explanation, describing it as false and misleading.
He wrote: “The recent viral video showing police officers making way for and interacting with heavily armed men on motorcycles says it all.”
He further added: “Police authorities immediately tried to debunk the video, of course, as expected, by saying that such heavily armed men were hunters and vigilantes assisting security operations. What a blatant lie! What an insult!”
The report, originally covered by , has continued to generate public debate over the identity of the armed men and the transparency of security operations in the affected region.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.