The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers stationed at checkpoints share information about travellers with kidnappers and bandits.
The Force made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following comments reportedly made by VDM at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
VDM had alleged that police officers manning checkpoints on major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to kidnappers, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
Reacting to the allegation, the Police described it as serious but said it was unsubstantiated and capable of damaging public confidence in an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
The Force stressed that allegations of such magnitude must be supported by credible evidence, noting that police officers deployed to checkpoints and other operational locations are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens.
It also highlighted the risks faced by its personnel, saying police officers regularly confront the same criminal elements they are accused of collaborating with.
According to the Force, several officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets have also been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Police cautioned against generalising allegations of misconduct to include hundreds of thousands of officers serving under difficult and often dangerous conditions.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law. But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” the statement said.
The Force therefore invited VDM to submit any evidence in his possession, particularly information supporting his claim that checkpoint officers identify wealthy individuals and relay their movements to kidnappers.
“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the Police said.
The Force also encouraged members of the public with credible evidence of police misconduct to report through the appropriate channels, assuring that complaints would be investigated and necessary action taken where wrongdoing is established.
The Police reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct irrespective of their source.
However, it urged Nigerians to exercise caution when making or circulating allegations involving national security institutions, warning that while legitimate criticism can strengthen accountability, unsubstantiated claims could undermine public trust and national security.
