By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to substantiate allegations that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits to facilitate abductions for ransom.
According to a press release issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Nigeria Police Force said it had taken note of the comments reportedly made by Otse during the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
The Force described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and capable of damaging public confidence in an institution saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.
CSP Iniedu said police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other strategic locations nationwide were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect citizens, rather than facilitate kidnapping.
He noted that police officers routinely confront kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other violent criminals, adding that personnel had been ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty, while police stations, formations and operational assets had also come under attacks.
The Force Public Relations Officer further appealed to the public to distinguish between legitimate criticism of the police and blanket accusations against the institution and its personnel.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force comprises hundreds of thousands of officers who continue to perform their duties under difficult, underfunded and often dangerous conditions.
He stressed that while individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face appropriate disciplinary measures and legal consequences, the entire institution should not be condemned on the basis of allegations made without supporting evidence.
The police consequently invited VeryDarkMan to produce the evidence upon which he based his claims, particularly any evidence showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and subsequently transmit their details or movements to kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating their abduction.
CSP Iniedu assured that any credible evidence submitted to the Force would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated, noting that the police remained committed to transparency, accountability and the investigation of credible allegations of misconduct.
The Force also called on members of the public with evidence of police misconduct to use appropriate channels to report such cases so that necessary action could be taken in accordance with the law.
It cautioned against the circulation of unverified allegations concerning national security institutions, stressing that while constructive criticism can strengthen accountability, unsubstantiated claims could undermine public trust and potentially endanger national security.
