The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to prov...
The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegations that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways provide information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
The Force made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following comments reportedly made by VDM at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
According to the Police, the allegations are serious and require credible evidence, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
The Force maintained that police officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens, rather than facilitating kidnappings.
It noted that police personnel routinely confront kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other violent criminals, adding that several officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty.
The Police also disclosed that its stations, formations and operational assets have been targeted by criminal elements, stressing that such realities demonstrate the risks faced by officers in the discharge of their responsibilities.
While acknowledging that individual officers could be guilty of misconduct, the Force cautioned against making blanket accusations against hundreds of thousands of personnel serving under difficult and dangerous conditions.
The statement assured that any officer found to have compromised his or her duty would face internal disciplinary measures and the full weight of the law.
The Police therefore invited VDM to submit any evidence in his possession, particularly evidence showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and subsequently transmit their identities or movements to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
The Force said any credible information provided would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
It also urged members of the public who have evidence of police misconduct to use appropriate channels to report such cases, rather than relying solely on public allegations.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct and take appropriate action whenever wrongdoing is established.
The Force further called on Nigerians to exercise responsibility when making or sharing allegations concerning national security institutions, stressing the need to distinguish between legitimate criticism that promotes accountability and unsubstantiated claims that could undermine public trust and national security.
The statement was signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 27, 2026.
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