The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence for his allegation that some police officers stationed at highway checkpoints secretly pass information about travellers to kidnappers.
Key Highlights:
- Police demanded evidence to support VeryDarkMan’s allegation against checkpoint officers.
- VDM alleged that some officers identify wealthy travellers and share their information with kidnappers.
- The Police Force described the allegation as unsubstantiated and damaging to its reputation.
- The Force said officers found guilty of aiding criminals would face disciplinary action and prosecution.
- Police said credible evidence supplied by VDM would be investigated.
VDM made the allegation while speaking at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He claimed that some police personnel at highway checkpoints could identify wealthy travellers and allegedly pass details about their identities and movements to criminal gangs.
The allegation has drawn a strong response from the police, which described the claim as serious and insisted that accusations of such magnitude should be supported with evidence.
Read Also:
- Police Academy, Wudi 13th Regular Course Candidates For Screening In September
- Police Rescue 42-Year-Old Bayelsa Woman After 4 Weeks In Kidnappers’ Den
- Police Launch Campaign Against Political, Digital Thuggery In Adamawa
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Thursday, August 27, the Nigeria Police Force said officers deployed to highway checkpoints were assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect motorists.
The Force challenged VDM to provide evidence showing that police officers identify wealthy individuals at checkpoints and subsequently transmit their information to kidnappers for abduction.
It said any credible evidence presented by the activist would be treated urgently and subjected to a thorough investigation.
The police also objected to what it described as “blanket accusations” against its personnel, noting that thousands of officers operate under difficult and dangerous conditions across the country.
According to the Force, police officers deployed along highways frequently confront the same criminal elements accused of carrying out kidnappings. It added that some officers had been ambushed, attacked and killed while performing their duties.
The police, however, acknowledged that individual officers could compromise their responsibilities and said anyone found guilty of misconduct would face disciplinary measures and prosecution.
The Force’s challenge to VDM comes amid continuing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity on Nigerian highways, particularly allegations of criminal collaboration involving security personnel.
The development is expected to generate further debate over corruption and alleged complicity within security agencies and the need for credible investigations into complaints involving law enforcement officers.
While the police warned that unverified allegations could undermine public confidence in security institutions, the controversy has also renewed calls for allegations against individual officers to be independently investigated where evidence exists.
The Force maintained that legitimate criticism of the police was necessary to promote accountability but cautioned against making serious accusations without supporting evidence.
The police reiterated its commitment to investigating credible allegations of misconduct and urged anyone with evidence of criminal activity involving its personnel to make such information available to the appropriate authorities.
