*Photo:Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM)*
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to substantiate his allegations that police officers at checkpoints collude with kidnappers by supplying information about travellers.
The Force made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following comments allegedly made by VDM at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
According to the police, VDM had alleged that officers manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and relay information about their identities and movements to kidnappers and bandits, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The Force described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution charged with protecting millions of Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.
It stressed that allegations of such gravity required a corresponding standard of evidence, adding that the required evidence had not been presented.
The police explained that personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect citizens, rather than facilitate kidnapping.
It also noted that police officers routinely confront criminal elements, including kidnappers and terrorists, and have suffered attacks and fatalities in the line of duty.
The Force said police stations, formations and operational assets had equally been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
Defending its personnel, the police said hundreds of thousands of officers report for duty daily under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions, including at checkpoints exposed to criminal elements.
It warned that sweeping accusations portraying the entire Force as complicit in kidnapping could demoralise officers and unfairly undermine those serving with integrity.
The Force, however, acknowledged that individual officers found to have compromised their duties 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 stated.
The police therefore invited VDM to produce without delay the evidence on which he based his allegations, particularly any evidence showing that checkpoint personnel identify wealthy individuals and subsequently transmit information about them to kidnappers.
It assured that any credible information provided would be treated urgently and thoroughly investigated.
The Force also encouraged members of the public who have evidence of police misconduct to report through appropriate channels to enable investigations and necessary action.
While reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the police cautioned the public against making or sharing unverified allegations concerning national security institutions.
It urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism, which it said strengthens accountability, and unsubstantiated claims that could undermine public trust and national security.