TD ABUJA, FCT — The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers at checkpoints supply kidnappers with information about travellers.
The Force made the demand in a statement issued by its Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following comments reportedly made by VDM during the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
VDM had alleged that police personnel manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and relay information about their identities and movements to kidnappers and bandits, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The police described the allegation as serious but said it was “unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging” to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
Police: Show Us the Evidence
According to the Force, allegations of such magnitude require corresponding evidence.
The police said officers deployed to checkpoints and other strategic locations are mandated to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect travellers—not facilitate kidnappings.
It also pointed to the dangers routinely faced by its personnel, noting that police officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Force maintained that while individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary and legal action, an entire institution should not be condemned based on allegations made publicly without supporting evidence.
‘Our Officers Deserve Better’
The police said its workforce comprises hundreds of thousands of officers who operate under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions.
It argued that blanket accusations portraying police personnel as collaborators with kidnappers could demoralise officers who risk their lives confronting criminal gangs.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law,” the statement said.
However, the Force stressed that allegations against individual officers must be properly investigated rather than generalized to the entire police institution.
VDM Invited to Submit Evidence
The NPF formally invited VDM to submit whatever evidence he possesses regarding the alleged collaboration between checkpoint personnel and kidnapping syndicates.
The Force specifically requested evidence showing that police officers identify wealthy individuals travelling on highways and subsequently transmit their information to kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating abductions.
It promised that any credible information submitted would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
The police also encouraged members of the public who have evidence of misconduct by its personnel to report through appropriate channels so that investigations and necessary disciplinary action can be initiated.
Police Defend Accountability Position
The Force said it remains committed to transparency and accountability and would continue investigating credible allegations of misconduct regardless of how they emerge.
At the same time, it warned against what it described as unverified allegations concerning national security institutions.
The police urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism—which it said can strengthen accountability—and unsubstantiated claims, which it argued could undermine public confidence and potentially affect national security.
The controversy comes amid persistent concerns over kidnapping and highway insecurity in several parts of Nigeria, with travellers and communities continuing to demand stronger protection from security agencies.
The police response therefore places the burden squarely on VDM to substantiate his claims, while leaving open the possibility of investigations should credible evidence of police complicity be presented.
