POLICE INVITE VERYDARKMAN TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF CHECKPOINT KIDNAPPING CLAIMS
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence supporting his allegation that some police officers at checkpoints collude with kidnappers and bandits.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the police had taken note of comments made by Otse at the recent Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
VeryDarkMan had alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to kidnappers, thereby facilitating their abduction for ransom.
Reacting to the claim, the police described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to the reputation of the force.
The police therefore asked Otse to immediately provide any evidence supporting his claims, including proof that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently share their information with kidnappers.
The Force said any evidence presented would be treated as a matter of urgency and subjected to thorough investigation.
It also urged members of the public who have credible evidence of police misconduct to report such cases through the appropriate authorities rather than relying solely on public allegations.
The police maintained that officers deployed to checkpoints nationwide are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens, rather than facilitating kidnapping.
According to the Force, police personnel regularly confront criminal elements and have suffered attacks and casualties while carrying out their duties.
It noted that police officers, stations, operational formations and other security assets have been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Force added that officers found to have compromised their duties would face internal disciplinary action and prosecution in accordance with the law.
However, it cautioned against making blanket allegations capable of demoralising personnel and undermining public confidence in the police.
The police urged the public to distinguish between legitimate criticism that promotes accountability and unverified allegations that could weaken trust in security institutions and potentially threaten national security.
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