The Nigeria Police Force has asked social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to present evidence backing his claim that some officers at checkpoints pass information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
The Force described the allegation as serious and said it has not received any proof to support the claim, which was reportedly made during the recent Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt. It rejected the comments as baseless and damaging to the image of officers who work daily to protect Nigerians on the roads.
According to the police, officers are posted at checkpoints to prevent crime and secure lives, not to help criminals. The Force noted that personnel at these points often face the same dangers they are meant to fight, with many officers having been attacked or killed in the line of duty.
It stressed that any officer found to have compromised his or her position would face internal discipline and possible prosecution. However, it maintained that the institution should not be condemned over allegations made without evidence.
The police has invited VDM to submit any proof he may have, including details of officers allegedly relaying travellers’ information to kidnappers. It added that such claims would be treated seriously and properly investigated if credible evidence is provided.
The Force reiterated its commitment to accountability while warning against spreading unverified accusations that could weaken public trust in security agencies. It urged Nigerians to report any genuine cases of misconduct through official channels rather than making public claims without proof.
