The Nigeria Police Force has invited social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegations that some police officers stationed at checkpoints on major highways pass information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.

The invitation followed comments made by VDM at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, where he alleged that some police personnel use information gathered at checkpoints to identify wealthy travellers and subsequently relay details of their movements to criminal gangs, allegedly facilitating kidnappings for ransom.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the allegations were serious and required credible evidence.

The police said VDM had been invited to produce the evidence upon which he based his claims, stressing that any information capable of substantiating the allegations would be treated with urgency and subjected to thorough investigation.

The Force dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated, arguing that they unfairly portray an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians as being complicit in kidnapping.

According to the police, officers deployed to checkpoints and other strategic locations across the country are assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and protect motorists and other members of the public.

The Force also pointed to the risks routinely faced by its personnel, noting that police officers have been ambushed, attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.

It further said police stations, operational formations and other security assets have also come under attack from criminal groups.

While defending the majority of its personnel, the police acknowledged that individual officers could potentially compromise their duties.

The Force said any officer found to have engaged in misconduct would face internal disciplinary measures and prosecution under the law.

However, it cautioned against making sweeping accusations against the entire police institution without supporting evidence.

The statement said hundreds of thousands of police officers continue to work under difficult, underfunded and dangerous conditions, particularly those deployed to checkpoints exposed to criminal attacks.

The Force specifically requested that VDM submit evidence supporting his claims, including any proof that police officers at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently provide their personal or movement information to kidnappers.

The police said such evidence would be investigated thoroughly and urged members of the public who possess credible information about police misconduct to report it through appropriate channels.

The Force also reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying credible allegations of misconduct would be investigated regardless of where they originated.

CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, Abuja, signed the statement dated August 27, 2026.