Police Summon VeryDarkMan To Prove Claims That Officers Work With Kidnappers

The Nigeria Police Force has summoned social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to over his claim that some police officers at checkpoints share information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.

The police made the request in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

The statement followed comments reportedly made by VeryDarkMan at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt.

VeryDarkMan had alleged that officers stationed at checkpoints on major roads identify wealthy travellers and share details about their identities and movements with criminal groups.

The activist claimed that such information is later used to carry out kidnappings for ransom.

Reacting to VDM’s comment on August 27, the police described the allegation as serious but said it had not been backed by evidence.

The Force warned that such claims could damage the reputation of an institution responsible for protecting Nigerians.

According to the police, allegations involving criminal conduct by security personnel must be supported with credible information.

It said officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations are responsible for preventing crime, detecting criminals and protecting members of the public.

The Force also highlighted the dangers faced by its personnel, noting that police officers regularly confront kidnappers, terrorists and other violent criminals in the course of their duties.

‘’For the avoidance of doubt, police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide are there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate k!dnapping.

“Indeed, these same police officers routinely confront the very criminal elements alleged to be receiving such information.

“Police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and k!lled, while police stations, formations and operational assets have equally been targeted by terrorists, k!dnappers and other violent criminals,” It said.

The police cautioned against making broad accusations against hundreds of thousands of officers because of the alleged actions of a few individuals.

The Force, however, stressed that any officer found to have compromised his or her duties would face disciplinary measures 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.

“But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” the statement said.

The police. therefore invited VDM to submit any evidence he has to support his claims, particularly information showing that checkpoint officers identify wealthy travellers and pass their movements to kidnappers.

The police assured him that any evidence submitted would be treated seriously and investigated.

‘’The Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to produce, without delay, the evidence upon which he based these serious allegations, including any evidence that police personnel at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently transmit information about them to k!dnappers for the purpose of facilitating their abduction.

“Any such information will b good.e treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly. We encourage any member of the public with credible evidence of officer misconduct to come forward through these channels rather than through public allegation alone, so that appropriate action can be taken’.’ he said

It also encouraged members of the public with genuine information about police misconduct to report through the appropriate channels.

The Force said such complaints would be investigated and action taken if wrongdoing was confirmed.

The police reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency but urged Nigerians to be careful when making allegations concerning national security agencies.

It said constructive criticism can help improve accountability, while claims made without evidence could weaken public confidence and create risks for national security.

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