The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence supporting allegations he made against police officers during the Nigerian Bar Association’s annual conference in Port Harcourt.
VeryDarkMan, who participated as a panelist at the 66th Annual General Conference of the NBA, alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
According to the activist, such alleged conduct has contributed to the rising cases of abductions for ransom across the country.
However, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, dismissed the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday, describing it as a serious claim that requires evidence.
The police said officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting citizens.
The statement added that police personnel routinely confront the same criminal elements accused of receiving information from officers.
The Force therefore invited VeryDarkMan to present any evidence supporting his claims, particularly allegations that officers identify wealthy travellers at checkpoints and subsequently pass their details to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
The police said any evidence provided would be treated with urgency and subjected to thorough investigation.
The Force also urged members of the public with credible evidence of police misconduct to report such cases through appropriate channels to enable authorities to investigate and take necessary action.
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