The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to support his allegation that some police officers are colluding with kidnappers and bandits to facilitate abductions.
VeryDarkMan made the allegation while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He claimed that some officers manning checkpoints along major highways allegedly gather information about travellers and pass such details to kidnappers.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, described the allegation as “unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging” to the police institution.
The Force said allegations of such gravity must be backed by credible evidence, stressing that police officers deployed to checkpoints were assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect citizens.
“For the avoidance of doubt, police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide are there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping,” the statement said.
The police also pointed to the risks faced by its personnel, noting that officers routinely confront the same criminals they are accused of assisting. According to the Force, several officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
It therefore cautioned against making sweeping allegations against the entire police institution or its personnel, particularly those working in difficult and dangerous environments.
The Force, however, acknowledged that any officer found to have compromised his or her duty would face disciplinary action and prosecution where necessary.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law,” it said.
Against this backdrop, the police formally invited VeryDarkMan to submit evidence supporting his claims, particularly any information showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass their personal details or movements to kidnappers for ransom.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to produce, without delay, the evidence upon which he based these serious allegations,” the statement added.
The Force said any evidence provided would be treated with urgency and subjected to thorough investigation.
It also urged members of the public with credible information about police misconduct to report through appropriate channels, assuring that genuine complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken.
The police reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability but warned against spreading unverified allegations about national security institutions.
It said while legitimate criticism could help strengthen accountability, unsubstantiated claims could erode public confidence in security agencies and undermine national security.