The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to support his allegation that some police officers at checkpoints share information about travellers with kidnappers and bandits.

The Force made the demand in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Thursday, following remarks attributed to VDM at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.

VDM had alleged that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to kidnappers, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.

Reacting, the police said it considered the allegation serious but rejected it as unsubstantiated and damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.

According to the Force, allegations of such magnitude require credible evidence, stressing that officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country are mandated to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens.

The police also pointed to the risks faced by its personnel, saying officers routinely confront the same criminal elements they are accused of colluding with.

The Force said several police officers had been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets had also come under attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.

It cautioned against generalising allegations of misconduct to cover hundreds of thousands of police officers who serve under difficult and often dangerous conditions.

“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law. But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” the statement said.

The Force subsequently invited Otse to submit any evidence in his possession, including information supporting his claim that checkpoint personnel identify wealthy individuals and relay their movements to kidnappers.

“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the police said.

The Force also urged members of the public who have credible evidence of police misconduct to report through appropriate channels, assuring that such complaints would be investigated and necessary action taken where wrongdoing is established.

The police said it remained committed to transparency and accountability and would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct regardless of how they arise.

However, it urged the public to exercise caution when making or circulating allegations involving national security institutions, saying legitimate criticism could strengthen accountability while unsubstantiated claims could undermine public trust and national security. (Channels TV)