Police Want VeryDarkMan to Back Up Claims About Kidnap Links

The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, to share proof for his claim that some police officers at checkpoints work with kidnappers and bandits.

The police made the announcement on Thursday through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu. They said they noticed comments made by Otse at the recent Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt.

VeryDarkMan claimed that police officers at checkpoints along major highways spot rich travelers and pass their details to kidnappers. This, he said, helps the kidnappers to abduct these travelers for ransom.

In response, the police called the claim serious, without proof, and unfairly damaging to their work. They stated, "The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians. Allegations of this gravity demand a corresponding standard of evidence, and that standard has not yet been met."

The police continued, "Accordingly, 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 kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating their abduction."

They assured that any evidence provided by Otse would be treated quickly and investigated thoroughly. The police also encouraged the public to report credible evidence of police wrongdoing to the right authorities instead of just making public claims.

The police emphasized that officers assigned to checkpoints across the country are there to stop crime, detect criminal activities, and protect citizens, not to assist kidnappers. They pointed out that police officers often confront criminals and have faced attacks and injuries while doing their jobs.

The police said, "Indeed, these same police officers routinely confront the very criminal elements alleged to be receiving such information. Police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets have equally been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals."

They also said that if any individual officers are found guilty of failing in their duties, they will face internal punishment and legal action. However, the police warned against making general accusations that could demoralize officers and hurt public trust in their work.

The police added, "The sacrifices of our personnel and the integrity of the institution will not be casually diminished by unverified allegations. Anyone with credible evidence of misconduct should bring it forward through the appropriate channels for investigation in accordance with the law."

They urged the public to be responsible when making and sharing claims about national security bodies. They should differentiate between legitimate criticism, which helps accountability, and unproven claims, which can harm public trust and national security.