The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers at highway checkpoints share travellers’ information with kidnappers, Peak Newspaper reports.
VDM reportedly made the allegation at the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt, claiming that some checkpoint officers allegedly provide criminals with information used to identify and target potential kidnapping victims.
Reacting in a statement issued on August 27, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, described the allegation as unsubstantiated and damaging to the reputation of the police.
The Force maintained that officers deployed to checkpoints are responsible for preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting motorists, rather than facilitating kidnapping.
The police also pointed to casualties suffered by officers during confrontations with kidnappers, terrorists and other violent criminals.
The Force subsequently invited VDM to submit any evidence supporting his claims, saying credible evidence would be treated urgently and thoroughly investigated.
The police also urged anyone with evidence of misconduct by its personnel to report through appropriate channels.
