The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for questioning over allegations he made concerning the alleged complicity of police officers in kidnapping incidents across the country.
Otse made the allegations while speaking at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, where he claimed that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways allegedly pass information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to an institution saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians.
The Force said allegations of such gravity required corresponding evidence, adding that no such evidence had so far been presented.
According to the police, officers deployed to checkpoints nationwide are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activity and protecting citizens, rather than facilitating kidnapping.
The Force also pointed to the risks faced by its personnel, noting that police officers had been ambushed, attacked and killed by criminal elements, while police stations, operational formations and assets had also been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The statement said the police personnel were operating under difficult, underfunded and often dangerous conditions, particularly those deployed to checkpoints where they were exposed to the same criminal elements they were working to keep off the highways.
It warned against what it described as “blanket accusations” that could demoralise officers who were serving with integrity.
The Force, however, stressed that officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary measures and prosecution where appropriate.
The police consequently invited VeryDarkMan to provide evidence backing his allegations, particularly any evidence showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and subsequently transmit information about them to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the Force said.
The police also urged members of the public with credible evidence of misconduct by its personnel to come forward through appropriate channels to enable investigation and necessary action.
While reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Force cautioned against making or circulating unverified allegations concerning national security institutions.
It said legitimate criticism was necessary to strengthen accountability, but warned that unsubstantiated claims could undermine public confidence and pose risks to national security.
The statement was signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, and dated August 27, 2026.
