The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strongly denied allegations that its officers are complicit in kidnapping operations across the country, following comments made by controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as “VeryDarkMan” (VDM), at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
Otse had alleged that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways pass information to kidnappers and bandits about the identity and movements of travellers, effectively facilitating abductions for ransom.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police described the claims as “unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, police personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide are there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping,” the statement read.
The Force pointed to the human cost borne by its personnel in the fight against banditry and kidnapping, noting that officers “have been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets have equally been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.”
The statement also defended rank-and-file officers, many of whom it said work “under difficult, underfunded, and often dangerous conditions.” It warned that sweeping accusations against the entire Force were “deeply demoralising” to personnel who serve with integrity, while acknowledging that individual officers found to have compromised their duty would “face the full weight of internal discipline and the law.
The Force formally challenged Otse to substantiate his claims. “The Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to produce, without delay, the evidence upon which he based these serious allegations,” the statement said, specifically requesting proof that officers identify wealthy individuals at checkpoints and relay that information to kidnappers.
Police said any such evidence “will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” and urged members of the public with credible evidence of misconduct to report through official channels rather than public statements.
While reaffirming its “commitment to transparency and accountability,” the Force cautioned against what it called the erosion of public trust through unverified claims.
“The Force calls on members of the public to exercise responsibility in making and sharing allegations concerning national security institutions and to distinguish between legitimate criticism, which strengthens accountability, and unsubstantiated claims, which can endanger public trust and national security,” the statement concluded.
