Police demand evidence from VDM over kidnapping claims

Police demand evidence from VDM over kidnapping claimsThe Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to substantiate his allegation that some police officers manning checkpoints on major highways supply kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, ANIPR, made the call in a statement reacting to comments attributed to VDM at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.

VDM had alleged that police personnel at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and allegedly pass information about their identities and movements to criminal elements, thereby facilitating kidnappings for ransom.

The police described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.

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

The statement noted that police personnel regularly confront kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals, with officers reportedly ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty.

It also pointed to attacks on police stations, formations and operational assets by terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups as evidence of the risks confronting personnel in the discharge of their duties.

The Force further warned against what it described as blanket accusations capable of demoralising hundreds of thousands of police officers who continue to work under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions.

“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, while insisting that the entire institution should not be condemned on the basis of an allegation made without evidence.

Police demand evidence

The Nigeria Police Force specifically invited VDM to produce the evidence upon which he based his claims, including any material showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently transmit information about them to kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating their abduction.

CSP Ani said any credible information supplied by the activist would be treated with urgency and subjected to thorough investigation.

The Force also encouraged members of the public who possess evidence of police misconduct to come forward through appropriate channels, rather than relying solely on public allegations.

It assured Nigerians that credible complaints of misconduct would continue to receive attention, adding that officers found culpable would be subjected to disciplinary measures and prosecution where necessary.

Police defend accountability

The Force maintained that its commitment to transparency and accountability remains unchanged, insisting that legitimate criticism is necessary to strengthen public institutions.

However, it cautioned against unverified allegations concerning national security institutions, warning that such claims could undermine public confidence and have wider implications for national security.

The police therefore urged Nigerians and public commentators to distinguish between evidence-based criticism aimed at improving policing and allegations that remain unsupported by verifiable facts.

The development comes amid continuing public concern over kidnapping and insecurity on Nigerian highways, with the police under increasing pressure to strengthen security operations and restore public confidence in the safety of travellers.

The Force’s invitation to VDM now places the responsibility on the activist to present any evidence in his possession, while giving the police an opportunity to investigate specific allegations of possible complicity by individual officers.