The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to support his allegation that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways relay information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
The Force made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by its 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, the allegations were serious and required corresponding evidence, which it said had not been provided.
The Force said it “firmly rejects” the allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
It explained that police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect citizens, rather than facilitate kidnapping.
The police also noted that officers routinely confront the criminal elements allegedly receiving such information, adding that personnel had been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets had also been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
‘Individual officers found culpable will face sanctions’
The Force said sweeping accusations against its personnel were unfair to the majority of officers who serve under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions.
It said police officers manning checkpoints were often exposed to the same criminal elements they were deployed to keep off the highways.
According to the statement, the police would not shield any officer found to have compromised his or her duty.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law,” the Force said.
However, it maintained that the entire institution should not be condemned based on allegations made without evidence.
The police consequently invited VDM to submit any evidence supporting his claims, particularly any information showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and subsequently transmit their details to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the Force said.
It also urged members of the public who have credible evidence of police misconduct to report through appropriate channels to enable investigations and necessary action.
Police defend accountability, call for responsible allegations
The Force reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct regardless of how they arise.
It, however, warned against what it described as unverified allegations capable of undermining public trust in security institutions and affecting national security.
The police called on members of the public to exercise responsibility when making or sharing 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 confidence and national security.
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