*I Will Provide Evidence Only In Court, VDM Counters
THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has invited social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to substantiate the allegation he made that Police officers manning checkpoints on major highways across Nigeria relay identities and movements of travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
VDM, who made the allegation on Tuesday, August 25, while featuring as a panelist at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, claimed that the actions have been facilitating abductions for ransom across the country.
While denying the allegation in a statement on Thursday, August 27, the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu (CSP), said that personnel deployed to checkpoints and other locations nationwide were there to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens, not to facilitate kidnapping.
He stated: “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.”
However, VDM expressed readiness to honour the invitation, but would prefer to present his evidence in court, not to the Police.
In his reaction to the invitation on Thursday, the activist said in a video posted on his Instagram page: “I’m not going to be giving the Police my evidence. Why would I do that? I would be charged to court, and I would turn down the evidence in court.”
He stated that his lawyers were ready, and challenged the Police to charge him to court if they believed he had committed an offence, adding: “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.”
He stood by his allegation that security agencies were aiding insecurity in the country, saying the Police, military, Immigration and Customs knew what was happening, noting: “It is the Police people that aid insecurity.
” It is the military men that benefit from insecurity. That’s why it can never stop.”
VDM questioned the continued banditry, terrorism and kidnapping despite government spending on security, saying: “How much is your budget to battle insecurity?
” How much is your budget? Go and look at your budget and tell me why we still have bandits and terrorists kidnapping people.”
He said he was ready to face the Police and military in court over his allegations, vowing he would continue to speak out on issues affecting the country, stating: “But like I said, why would I want to give you my evidence? I wouldn’t do that.
“Who would take you to court? You understand? When you’re ready, I’m ready. Face the love, don’t play.”
VDM also accused Nigerians of defending security agencies, following his allegation, despite routinely criticising the Police and military over insecurity.
Insisting his comments were aimed at holding public institutions accountable, he said he was standing by his allegations, adding: “I’m proud of myself that right in their faces I said what I had to say and to tell them that the insecurity going on in Nigeria, it is aided by them.
“I stand by my words.”
He, however, acknowledged the poor welfare of Police officers, urging government to improve their working conditions to strengthen security in the country, saying: “There is no welfare for the Nigerian police.
” If you want Nigeria’s security to be tightened, you have to take care of our policemen. Take care of them.”
VDM wondered why the Police authority was quick to issue a statement on his latest comments when it took weeks to respond to his allegation against Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Moshood Jimoh, in connection with the investigation of the case involving businessman, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi.
Recall that the Police also later invited him to substantiate his allegations, saying the criminal matter linked to the claims was already before a court, following advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
