The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for questioning over allegations that some police personnel collude with kidnappers and bandits.
VDM reportedly made the allegation at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference, claiming that police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers, including their identities and movements, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, described the claim as unsubstantiated and damaging to the police institution.
Iniedu said allegations of such gravity required credible evidence, stressing that no such evidence had been presented to support the claim.
He said police officers deployed to checkpoints across the country were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect citizens, rather than facilitate kidnapping.
According to him, police personnel routinely confront the same criminal elements they are accused of assisting, with several officers having been ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty.
“The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians.
“Allegations of this gravity demand a corresponding standard of evidence, and that standard has not yet been met,” Iniedu said.
The police spokesperson added that stations, formations and operational assets belonging to the force had also come under attacks from terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
He said sweeping accusations against the entire police force could demoralise officers who work under difficult and dangerous conditions.
Iniedu, however, acknowledged that individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary measures and prosecution under the law.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law.
“But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” he said.
The Force subsequently invited VDM to appear and provide evidence backing his allegations, particularly his claim that police officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass their information to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
The police said any credible evidence provided by the activist would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
The force also urged members of the public who possess evidence of misconduct by police personnel to come forward through appropriate channels.
Iniedu reaffirmed the police commitment to transparency and accountability, saying the force would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct and take action where wrongdoing was established.
He, however, cautioned the public against making or circulating unverified allegations concerning national security institutions.
The police spokesperson urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism, which he said could strengthen accountability, and unsubstantiated claims capable of undermining public trust and national security.
Very Dark Man Replies
Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), rejected a demand by the Nigeria Police Force to submit evidence backing his allegation that some police officers collude with kidnappers and bandits.
The development followed an invitation extended to VDM by the police for questioning over comments he made at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
VDM had alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers, including their identities and movements, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
Reacting to the invitation in a video posted on his social media platforms, VDM said he was willing to honour the police invitation but would not surrender his evidence to the force.
He maintained that if the matter eventually went to court, he would present the evidence before the appropriate judicial authorities.
The activist also said he was not afraid of being arrested, insisting that his lawyers were already handling the matter.
The police invitation followed a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, who described VDM’s allegations as unsubstantiated and damaging to the police institution.
Iniedu said allegations of such gravity required credible evidence, stressing that no evidence had been presented to substantiate the claims.
He said police officers deployed to checkpoints across the country were tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens, rather than facilitating kidnapping.
According to the police spokesperson, officers routinely confront the same criminal elements they are being accused of assisting, with several personnel having been ambushed, attacked and killed in the line of duty.
“The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians.
“Allegations of this gravity demand a corresponding standard of evidence, and that standard has not yet been met,” Iniedu said.
He added that police stations, formations and operational assets had also come under attacks from terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
Iniedu warned that sweeping accusations against the entire police force could demoralise personnel working under difficult and dangerous conditions.
He, however, acknowledged that individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary action and prosecution in accordance with the law.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law.
“But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” he said.
Following the controversy, the police formally invited VDM to appear and provide evidence supporting his allegations, particularly his claim that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass their information to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
The Force said any credible evidence presented by the activist would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
It also encouraged members of the public with evidence of misconduct by police personnel to report such cases through appropriate channels.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and accountability, saying credible allegations of misconduct would continue to be investigated and appropriate action taken where wrongdoing was established.
However, Iniedu cautioned Nigerians against making or circulating unverified allegations concerning national security institutions.
He urged the public to distinguish between legitimate criticism, which he said could strengthen accountability, and unsubstantiated claims capable of undermining public trust and national security.
VDM, meanwhile, maintained his position that he would not hand over his evidence directly to the police, insisting that he was prepared to defend his allegations before a court if the matter proceeded to litigation.
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