By Emma Peter, Abuja
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to take him to court over his allegations that some security personnel assist kidnappers and bandits in Nigeria.
Otse’s response came only hours after the police invited him to provide evidence backing his claims that officers manning checkpoints allegedly identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to criminal groups to facilitate kidnappings.
Reacting to the invitation in a video shared on his social media platforms on Thursday, the activist said he was ready to honour the police invitation but would not hand over his evidence for internal investigation.
According to him, his lawyers were prepared to represent him in court if the police believed his allegations amounted to an offence.
“I’m not going to be giving the police my evidence. Why would I do that? I would be charged to court, and I would tender the evidence in court,” Otse said.
He urged the police to proceed with legal action if they believed he had made false or defamatory allegations, insisting that he was ready to defend his claims before a court of law.
Otse maintained that his allegations were directed at security institutions over what he described as the persistent insecurity confronting Nigerians, including kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
He further questioned why insecurity remained widespread despite substantial government spending on national security, demanding greater accountability from security agencies.
The activist also alleged that some personnel within the police, military, immigration and customs services were benefiting from the insecurity in the country, while stressing that he stood by his earlier statements.
“I stand by my words,” he declared, adding that he was ready to face the police and military in court.
The police had described his allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and capable of damaging public confidence in the institution. The Force, however, said any evidence provided by Otse would be treated seriously and subjected to thorough investigation.
While criticising the security agencies, Otse acknowledged the difficult working conditions faced by police officers and called for improved welfare and better funding for personnel.
His latest confrontation with the police comes against the backdrop of previous allegations he made against senior police officers, including Assistant Inspector-General of Police Moshood Jimoh, over the handling of a case involving businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi.
The police had earlier said Jimoh was invited for questioning as part of an internal administrative review and also asked Otse to substantiate his allegations.
The activist, however, accused the police of responding slowly to his earlier allegations while moving swiftly to react to his more recent claims concerning checkpoint operations.
Despite the invitation, Otse said he remained ready to face the authorities, insisting that the evidence supporting his claims would be presented if the matter proceeded to court.
“Let’s meet in court. The evidence will be tendered there,” he said.
The development is expected to heighten the ongoing debate over allegations of institutional complicity in Nigeria’s insecurity, as the police seek evidence to support claims they say could undermine public confidence in the security architecture.
