The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to produce evidence backing his allegation that police officers at highway checkpoints provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
The Force said Otse made the allegation at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, where he reportedly claimed that police personnel at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to criminal groups to facilitate abductions for ransom.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
The Force said claims of such magnitude must be supported by credible evidence, stressing that officers deployed to checkpoints and other strategic locations nationwide are responsible for preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens.
According to the police, personnel manning highways routinely confront criminal elements and have suffered attacks and casualties while carrying out their duties.
It added that police stations, formations and operational assets across the country have also been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Force said it was therefore unfair to make blanket allegations against hundreds of thousands of police officers serving under difficult, underfunded and often dangerous conditions.
However, the police acknowledged that any officer found to have compromised his or her duty would face disciplinary action and prosecution in accordance with the law.
“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.
The Force consequently challenged Otse to provide, without delay, any evidence supporting his claims, particularly evidence that police officers at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and transmit their information to kidnappers.
It assured that any credible evidence submitted would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
The police also urged members of the public who have evidence of misconduct by officers to report such cases through appropriate channels to facilitate investigation and appropriate action.
Reiterating its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Force said it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct regardless of their source.
It, however, urged the public to exercise responsibility when making or circulating allegations involving national security institutions.
The police acknowledged that legitimate criticism can strengthen accountability, but warned that unsubstantiated allegations could undermine public confidence in the Force and potentially affect national security.
