The Nigeria Police Force has rejected claims made by social media activist, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, aka, the VeryDarkMan alleging that it’s operatives at checkpoints provide information to kidnappers and bandits about travellers.
In a statement on Thursday issued by it’s spokesman, CSP Ani Iniedu, the NPF described the allegations made at the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt as “unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging” to the force.
The Force image maker insisted that police personnel deployed on highways are there to prevent crime and protect motorists.
‘’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. Indeed, these same police officers routinely confront the very criminal elements alleged to be receiving such information. Police personnel have been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets have equally been targeted by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
Ani argued that police officers deserve better than blanket accusations.
However, he invited VDM to come forward 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, 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 allegation alone, so that appropriate action can be taken. ’’
