Do You Think We’re Brainless? – Rufai Rejects Police Narrative On Officers’ Exchange With Suspected Bandits

Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has dismissed the police account regarding a viral video of its officers waving at ‘vigilante men’.

NEWSNGR recalls that a video emerged on Wednesday where some policemen were seen waving at a large number of armed men.

However, the police, in a statement on Wednesday, clarified that the said group of armed men riding on motorcycles were members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and not bandits.

The statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okonkon Edem Iniedu, clarified that those seen in the viral video riding motorcycles are not armed bandits.

Iniedu said they are registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

He explained that contrary to initial claims, the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and security volunteers who were en route to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety.

However, Rufai, during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, rubbished the statement, insisting that Nigerians are not daft or brainless.

He said, “Do they think Nigerians are daft or we don’t have brains?

“I don’t know when the police started giving salutes to vigilantes, and they carry some sophisticated weapons. So, the vigilante will be passing on motorcycle. Police will see them, police will be waving. Oh, vigilante, go ahead, go ahead.

“You see, we live in a mess. And this mess has been largely caused by our political class because of their own selfishness.”