The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence supporting allegations he made against some police officers during the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt.
VeryDarkMan made the allegations on Tuesday while participating as a panellist at the 66th Annual General Conference of the NBA in Rivers State.
During the event, the activist accused some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways of sharing information about travellers with kidnappers and bandits.
He alleged that the information being passed by the officers included details about the identity and movements of travellers, which he claimed could be used by criminal groups to target victims for abduction and ransom.
The allegation has now prompted the police authorities to demand evidence from the social media critic.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, rejected the claim and said police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country were assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect members of the public.
The Force said its officers regularly confront criminal groups operating on the country’s highways and other areas, making the allegation of deliberate cooperation with kidnappers a matter requiring proof.
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The police therefore invited VeryDarkMan to present any information, documents or other evidence in his possession that could support his claims.
The Force specifically wants evidence relating to the allegation that police officers identify wealthy travellers at checkpoints and pass their details to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
According to the police, any credible evidence provided by the activist will be treated as a matter requiring urgent investigation.
The invitation comes as concerns over kidnapping, banditry and insecurity remain major issues across Nigeria, with travellers on major roads facing risks in some parts of the country.
The police also encouraged members of the public who have information about misconduct by its personnel to report such cases through official channels.
The Force said credible complaints could be investigated and appropriate action taken where wrongdoing is established.
The development has placed attention on the allegations made at the NBA conference and the evidence that VeryDarkMan may present to the police.
The police response also signals that the authorities intend to subject the claims to investigation rather than allow the allegations to remain unresolved in the public space.
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