The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence supporting his allegation that some police officers share travellers’ information with kidnappers and bandits.
The Force made the demand in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Thursday, following remarks attributed to Otse at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt.
VeryDarkMan had alleged that police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to criminal groups, allegedly facilitating abductions for ransom.
The police described the allegation as serious but said it was unsubstantiated and potentially damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
The Force said allegations of such magnitude require credible evidence, noting that officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations are mandated to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens.
It also highlighted the risks faced by police personnel, saying officers regularly confront the same criminal elements they are accused of working with.
According to the Force, several police officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets have also come under attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The police cautioned against generalising allegations of misconduct across hundreds of thousands of officers serving under difficult and 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 subsequently invited Otse to submit any evidence in his possession, including information supporting his claim that checkpoint officers identify wealthy travellers and relay their movements to kidnappers.
“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the police said.
The police also urged members of the public with credible evidence of misconduct by its personnel to report through the appropriate channels.
It assured complainants that allegations would be investigated and that necessary action would be taken where wrongdoing is established.
The Force reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct regardless of their source.
However, it urged the public 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.
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