The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to provide evidence supporting his claims that some police officers at highway checkpoints collude with kidnappers and bandits.
The invitation follows remarks made by Otse during a panel session on insecurity at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Police Demand Evidence
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, and signed by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu, the Nigeria Police Force said it had taken note of Otse’s allegations.
The Force described the claims 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,” the statement said.
The police specifically asked Otse to provide any evidence showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
NPF Rejects Generalised Accusations
The Force said police officers deployed to checkpoints are mandated to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens rather than assist criminal groups.
It also pointed to the risks faced by officers, noting that police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The NPF said it would not defend officers found to have compromised their duties. However, it argued that individual misconduct should not be used to condemn the entire institution.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law,” the statement said.
“But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence.”
VeryDarkMan’s NBA Conference Claims
Otse made the allegations while participating as a panellist at the NBA conference session titled “Known Gun Men.”
During the discussion, he questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security system and alleged that some security personnel and government institutions benefit from the persistence of insecurity.
His comments generated considerable debate, particularly after a military representative at the conference cautioned him against making broad allegations without supporting evidence.
The NBA subsequently gave Otse a special recognition award for his participation and contribution to the discussion.
Police Promise Investigation of Credible Evidence
The police said any evidence supplied by Otse would be treated urgently and investigated thoroughly.
The Force also encouraged members of the public who have credible information about police misconduct to report through official channels.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and said credible allegations against individual officers would be investigated, while warning that unsupported claims could damage public trust and national security.
As of the latest reports, Otse had not publicly responded to the police invitation or indicated whether he would submit evidence supporting his allegations.
