ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force challenged social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to provide concrete evidence supporting his allegations that police officers stationed at highway checkpoints relay information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police CSP Ani Iniedu, issued a statement responding to comments made by Otse at the recent Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt. Golden Info reports that CSP Ani Iniedu rejected the claims as unsubstantiated and damaging to the law enforcement institution.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that personnel deployed to checkpoints nationwide are stationed to prevent criminal activities and protect citizens rather than assist kidnappers. The agency noted that officers routinely confront criminal elements, adding that police personnel have been ambushed and killed while police stations and operational assets have been targeted by violent groups.
The agency cautioned against broad accusations against personnel serving under difficult and hazardous conditions. The Nigeria Police Force said, “Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law.”
The Nigeria Police Force invited Otse to submit any information showing that checkpoint officers identify wealthy travellers and transmit details to kidnappers, stating that all submissions will be investigated thoroughly. The force also called on members of the public possessing credible evidence of police misconduct to report through official internal channels.