By Our Reporter
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 police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits to facilitate abductions for ransom.
The Force, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said it had taken note of the comments made by VDM at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt. The Police described the allegations as unsubstantiated and damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
According to the Force, police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens, rather than facilitating kidnapping. It noted that officers routinely confront criminal elements and that several police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and killed in the course of their duties.
The Police also defended its personnel against what it described as blanket accusations, noting that hundreds of thousands of officers continue to work under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions.
The Force stressed, however, that officers found to have compromised their duties would face appropriate disciplinary measures and the full weight of the law.
The Police subsequently invited VDM to submit any evidence backing his allegations, particularly claims that officers identify wealthy travellers at checkpoints and subsequently transmit their details and movements to kidnappers.
The Force said any credible information provided would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
The Nigeria Police Force also encouraged members of the public with evidence of police misconduct to report through appropriate channels rather than relying solely on public allegations, stressing that such reports would enable authorities to investigate and take necessary action.
While reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Force urged Nigerians to exercise responsibility when making or sharing allegations concerning national security institutions.
It called for a distinction between legitimate criticism, which it said could strengthen accountability, and unsubstantiated claims that could undermine public trust and national security.
