VeryDarkMan summoned by Police over NBA conference comments

Police authorities in Nigeria have summoned social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely referred to as “VeryDarkMan,” to give evidence in regard to the allegations he leveled against the police.

VeryDarkMan has accused the police of such behavior in the course of an event on Tuesday at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.

During the conference, he alleged that certain police officers manning checkpoints along the highways inform kidnappers and bandits about travelers.

The police have now asked the social media critic to substantiate the allegations as authorities move to examine the claims made during the conference.

VeryDarkMan’s invitation comes amid continued concerns over insecurity and the conduct of security personnel along major highways across the country.

According to the activist, the actions of the officers have been facilitating abductions for ransom across the nation.

Responding, a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, denied the allegation.

The police explained that personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping.

“Indeed, these same police officers routinely confront the very criminal elements alleged to be receiving such information.

“Accordingly, the Nigeria Police Force hereby invites Mr. Martins Vincent Otse to produce, without delay, the evidence upon which he based these serious allegations, including any evidence that police personnel at checkpoints identify wealthy individuals and subsequently transmit information about them to kidnappers for the purpose of facilitating their abduction.

“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly.

“We encourage any member of the public with credible evidence of officer misconduct to come forward through these channels rather than through public allegations alone, so that appropriate action can be taken,” he stated.