Outspoken social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has refused to turn over his evidence to the Nigeria Police Force regarding explosive allegations that security personnel are actively aiding kidnapping and banditry across the country.
Addressing the formal police invitation in a video broadcast on his Instagram account on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Otse stated that while he is prepared to face law enforcement, he will strictly reserve his proof for a court of law. He challenged the police command to immediately prosecute him if they believe his public statements constitute a crime, emphasizing that his legal team is fully prepared for trial.
“I’m not going to be giving the police my evidence. Why would I do that?” Otse declared. “I should be charged to court, and I will tender the evidence in court. Go ahead and arraign me; my lawyers are on standby.”
The standoff follows a high-profile summons by the Force Headquarters. The police demanded that Otse substantiate claims he made at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt. He alleged that corrupt officers manning highway checkpoints identify wealthy travelers and pass intelligence to syndicates for ransom. Denouncing the claims as “unsubstantiated,” the police warned that such narratives severely damage public institutional trust, though they promised to swiftly investigate any verified receipts.
Unmoved by the institutional pushback, the activist doubled down on his broader accusations against Nigeria’s defense architecture. He insisted that bad actors within the police, military, immigration, and customs units possess deep knowledge of the factors sustaining domestic terrorism. He openly questioned why banditry persists despite colossal annual national security budgets.
“It is corrupt personnel within the police that aid insecurity. It is rogue military men that profit from this crisis; that’s why it never stops,” Otse alleged. “Look closely at your multi-billion naira security expenditures and tell Nigerians why terrorists are still comfortably abducting citizens.”
Despite his heavy criticisms, the content creator acknowledged the hazardous working conditions endured by rank-and-file officers. He advocated for an urgent overhaul of police welfare, noting that tighter national security can only be achieved when personnel are adequately compensated and equipped.
