The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers assist kidnappers and bandits.
VDM had reportedly alleged that police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways collect information about travellers and pass it to criminal groups, who subsequently use the information to facilitate abductions.
The allegation was reportedly made during the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the claim, the Force said the allegation was serious and required credible evidence.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police rejected the allegation as unsubstantiated.
The Force said the claim unfairly portrayed an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
According to the police, personnel deployed to checkpoints and other strategic locations are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting road users.
It added that officers regularly confront the same criminal elements they are accused of assisting.
The Force noted that police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
It further said police stations, formations and operational equipment had also come under attacks by criminal groups.
The Force acknowledged that individual officers could potentially compromise their duties but insisted that such cases should not be used to condemn the entire institution.
It said officers operating checkpoints often work in difficult, dangerous and underfunded conditions while confronting criminal threats on the highways.
The police nevertheless maintained that no officer found to have violated the law or compromised his duty would be protected.
“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.
It therefore invited VDM to submit any evidence in his possession to the appropriate authorities.
The police specifically requested information that could establish his allegation that officers identify wealthy travellers at checkpoints and subsequently transmit their details to kidnappers for possible abduction.
The Force said any credible information submitted would be treated urgently and subjected to thorough investigation.
The police also encouraged members of the public with evidence of misconduct by officers to report such cases through established channels.
It said credible complaints would allow the authorities to investigate allegations and take appropriate action where wrongdoing was established.
The Force reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that allegations of police misconduct would not be ignored simply because of where or by whom they were raised.
However, it cautioned against making or circulating claims that have not been supported by evidence.
According to the police, unverified allegations can damage public confidence in security institutions and potentially undermine national security.
The Force urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism and allegations that lack supporting evidence.
It said constructive criticism could strengthen accountability within security institutions, but warned that sweeping and unsubstantiated accusations could undermine the confidence Nigerians place in institutions responsible for their safety.
