The Presidency has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for giving social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, a platform to make allegations against the police and other security agencies.
According to Naija News, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Sunday Dare, expressed his displeasure in a post on X on Thursday.
“So, NBA gave its platform to a rabble-rouser to make unguarded and reckless accusations against the Police and our security agencies,” Dare wrote.
The criticism followed VeryDarkMan’s appearance at the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, where he spoke during a session on insecurity.
VeryDarkMan Accuses Security Agencies
During the conference, VeryDarkMan alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways identify travellers who appear capable of paying ransom and pass information about their movements to kidnappers and bandits.
He also accused government officials and security agencies of benefiting from the country’s insecurity through increased funding and other advantages.
The claims were presented during the panel discussion without supporting evidence being publicly produced at the session.
Police Demand Evidence
The Nigeria Police Force subsequently invited VeryDarkMan to provide evidence supporting his allegation that some officers assist kidnappers.
In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to the institution.
The Force demanded any evidence showing that officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and transmit their information to kidnappers to facilitate abductions.
The police said any credible information submitted would be treated urgently and thoroughly investigated.
It maintained that officers deployed to checkpoints were responsible for crime prevention, detection and public protection, not the facilitation of kidnapping.
The Force also acknowledged that individual officers found to have compromised their duties would face disciplinary action and prosecution under the law.
VDM Refuses to Submit Evidence Directly
Reacting to the invitation, VeryDarkMan said he was willing to respond to the police but would not surrender the alleged evidence directly to the Force.
In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, the activist maintained that he would disclose the evidence only if the matter proceeded to court.
His position effectively challenges the police to institute legal proceedings where the evidence could be presented and tested before a competent court.
No details of the alleged evidence had been publicly disclosed at the time of the report.
NBA Invitation Sparks Debate
VeryDarkMan’s participation at the NBA conference has generated divided reactions among lawyers and members of the public.
Some critics questioned his suitability for a major professional conference, while others argued that his experiences visiting communities affected by violent attacks gave him a relevant perspective on insecurity.
The session was titled “Known Gunmen or Unknown Gunmen” and examined Nigeria’s worsening security challenges and their impact on citizens and the justice system.
VeryDarkMan had earlier defended his invitation, saying he did not attend the conference to teach lawyers the law but to share his experiences of insecurity and violence.
His allegations against the police and other security agencies remain unproven and have not been determined by any court or independent investigative body.
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