The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims that one of its helicopters was used to deliver food supplies to bandits, labeling the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that the individuals seen in a viral video featuring a police helicopter were not bandits, but members of a joint security task force. The security team reportedly included police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters engaged in a coordinated operation in Kogi State.
According to Adejobi, the footage was taken during a legitimate security mission on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Obajana axis in Kogi State. The police helicopter featured in the video was deployed to provide aerial surveillance and operational support to ground troops targeting criminal hideouts in the area.
“The video being circulated online has been wrongly interpreted. The individuals on the ground are part of a joint security force, not criminal elements. The helicopter was never used to deliver food or any supplies to bandits,” Adejobi stated.
He urged the public to disregard the viral social media narrative, emphasizing the importance of verifying information through official police channels.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to national security and vowed to continue working alongside local partners and stakeholders to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and other threats across the country.
“We remain focused on protecting lives and property and will not be distracted by misinformation aimed at undermining our operations,” the statement concluded.
