Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has said he will not submit to the police the evidence backing his allegation that some security personnel aid kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria.
Otse, who reacted on Thursday to the invitation extended to him by the Nigeria Police Force, said he was prepared to honour the invitation but would prefer to present his evidence in court.
“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 posted on his Instagram page.
The police had earlier invited Otse to provide evidence backing his allegation that police officers manning checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
The Force described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to the institution, while saying any evidence presented by the activist would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
Reacting to the invitation, Otse said his lawyers were ready and challenged the police to charge him to court 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.
The activist maintained his earlier allegation that security agencies were aiding insecurity in the country, saying the police, military, immigration and customs knew 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.
Otse also questioned the continued prevalence of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping despite government spending on 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.
He said he was ready to face the police and military in court over his allegations, adding that he would continue speaking out on issues affecting the country.
“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,” he said.
Otse also accused Nigerians of defending security agencies after his allegations, despite routinely criticising the police and military over insecurity.
