Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has refused to submit evidence to the Nigeria Police Force over his allegations that some security personnel are aiding kidnappers and contributing to insecurity in the country.
Otse said he would only present the evidence in court if the police decide to charge him.
His position followed a statement by the Nigeria Police Force rejecting his allegations as unsubstantiated and asking him to provide evidence to support his claims.
In a video shared on Instagram on Thursday, Otse challenged the police to take legal action against him, saying his lawyers were ready to defend him in court.
“I’m not going to be giving the police my evidence. Why would I do that? I would be charged in court, and I would turn down the evidence in court,” he said.
The influencer further urged the police to charge him if they believed he had committed an offence.
He said, “So when I get to your office, you charge me to court. I can go to court on that same day. My lawyers are on ground.”
Otse also repeated his allegations against security agencies, claiming that some police and military personnel benefit from the persistence of insecurity in the country.
“It is the police people that aid insecurity. It is the military men that benefit from insecurity. That’s why it can never stop,” he alleged.
He questioned the government’s spending on security, asking why banditry, terrorism and kidnapping remain widespread despite the funds allocated to fighting insecurity.
The Force spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, had described Otse’s allegations as unsubstantiated and damaging to the police institution.
However, Otse maintained that he had no reason to hand over his evidence to the police, insisting that he would present it if the matter went before a court.
“When you’re ready, I’m ready,” he said.
The influencer also criticised Nigerians who defend security agencies whenever they are accused of failing to tackle insecurity.
He said his intention was to hold public institutions accountable and maintained that he stood by his allegations.
Otse, however, acknowledged the difficult working conditions faced by police officers and called on the government to improve their welfare and provide better support for security personnel.
