ABUJA: Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to charge him to court, insisting that he will present evidence supporting his allegations of security personnel aiding kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria before a judge.
Otse made the declaration while reacting to the police invitation asking him to provide evidence backing his claim that some police officers stationed at checkpoints allegedly identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to kidnappers.
The activist said he was prepared to honour the police invitation but would not surrender his evidence to the Force for investigation.
“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 said in a video shared on his Instagram page.
The police had described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and capable of damaging the reputation of the institution. The Force, however, said any evidence presented by Otse would be treated urgently and investigated thoroughly.
Responding to the invitation, VeryDarkMan said his lawyers were ready and challenged the police to take legal action against him if they believed he had committed an offence.
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 said.
Otse maintained that security agencies were contributing to the persistence of insecurity in Nigeria, alleging that the police, military, immigration and customs were aware of what was happening.
“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 also questioned the continued prevalence of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping despite the substantial resources allocated by successive governments to national security.
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.
The activist said he was ready to face both the police and military in court, insisting that he would continue speaking publicly about issues affecting Nigerians.
VeryDarkMan further criticised Nigerians who defend security agencies whenever allegations of misconduct are raised, despite widespread public complaints about insecurity and police operations.
He said his comments were intended to hold public institutions accountable and insisted that he stood by his allegations.
“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 said.
Despite his criticism of the police, Otse acknowledged the difficult working conditions faced by many officers and called on the government to improve their welfare.
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,” he said.
The latest development follows allegations made by Otse weeks earlier against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Moshood Jimoh.
The activist had accused Jimoh of corruption in connection with the investigation into a case involving businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi.
The police subsequently confirmed that Jimoh had been invited for questioning as part of an internal administrative review. Otse was also invited to substantiate his allegations.
The Force said the criminal matter connected to the claims was already before a court following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
Otse criticised what he described as the police’s slow response to his earlier allegations, contrasting it with the speed with which the Force reacted to his claims concerning checkpoint kidnappings.
He alleged that he had previously released evidence concerning the case, including claims of torture of suspects, but said the police did not initially respond until he released additional material.
The activist also repeated his controversial claim that politicians use cattle to launder money, arguing that Fulani herders were being used as victims of political manipulation.
He concluded by reiterating his readiness to face the police and defend his allegations in court.
For the police, I’m very, very ready for you guys. 100 per cent. I’m ready to show you that you people aid insecurity. You people aid banditry and terrorism in this country, he said. Let’s meet in court. The evidence will be tendered there.
