By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers assist kidnappers by sharing information about travellers.
The Force said the allegation was made during the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt.
In a statement on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, describes the claim as unsubstantiated and damaging to the police institution.
VeryDarkMan had alleged that some officers manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their movements to kidnappers and bandits.
The police said it takes allegations of misconduct seriously but insisted that claims of such gravity must be supported by credible evidence.
Iniedu, urged VeryDarkMan to submit any evidence showing that officers have shared travellers’ identities or movements with criminals to facilitate abductions.
The Force said any credible information received would be investigated thoroughly and acted upon where wrongdoing is established.
Meanwhile, the police warned against blanket accusations against police personnel, noting that officers deployed to checkpoints routinely confront criminals and have suffered attacks and fatalities in the line of duty.
The police acknowledged that individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary action and prosecution where necessary.
The Force urged members of the public to channel credible allegations through appropriate authorities rather than relying solely on public statements.
He also called for responsible reporting of claims involving national security institutions, saying unverified allegations could undermine public trust and national security.
