Provide evidence of officers’ complicity in insecurity — Police tell VDM

The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) to present verifiable evidence backing his claims that police officers collaborate with kidnappers and bandits to target road travellers.

The demand was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in response to remarks made by Otse at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.

Otse had alleged that officers stationed at highway checkpoints routinely profile wealthy commuters and pass intelligence on their identities and movements to criminal gangs to facilitate kidnappings for ransom.

Rejecting the claims, the Force described the accusation as reckless, unsubstantiated, and capable of eroding public trust in national security operations.

“The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians,” the statement read.

The Police emphasized that personnel deployed to checkpoints are mandated to deter crime and protect motorists, noting that hundreds of officers have paid the supreme price confronting the very bandits and kidnappers they are accused of aiding.

While acknowledging that rogue elements may exist within any large organization, the Force maintained that isolated misconduct should not be used to indict the entire institution.

It assured the public that any officer found guilty of compromising national security would face swift disciplinary and legal consequences.

The Police also urged Otse and other members of the public holding actionable proof of officer complicity to formally submit their findings for thorough investigation rather than resorting to unverified public commentary.