The Nigeria Police Force has invited social critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers stationed at highway checkpoints share travellers’ information with kidnappers.
VDM made the allegation during the recent Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt, where he claimed that some officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and leak information about their movements to criminals, who subsequently target them for ransom.
Reacting to the claim in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, described the allegation as unsubstantiated and damaging to the reputation of police personnel.
Iniedu said officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country were assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect motorists and other road users.
“For the avoidance of doubt, police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide are there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson noted that officers deployed to highways routinely confront criminal elements, adding that several personnel had been ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty.
He also said police stations, formations and operational assets had been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
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Iniedu argued that police officers should not be subjected to blanket accusations without credible evidence, stressing that allegations of misconduct should be properly investigated.
The Force therefore challenged VDM to substantiate his claims by presenting any evidence showing that police officers at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently transmit their information to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to produce, without delay, the evidence upon which he based these serious allegations,” Iniedu said.
He assured that any credible information provided would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
The police further encouraged members of the public who have evidence of misconduct by its personnel to report such cases through appropriate channels to enable authorities to investigate and take necessary action.