Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to take him to court over his allegations that some police officers at checkpoints provide information about wealthy travellers to kidnappers.

The challenge followed the Police Force’s invitation to Otse to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the recent Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt.

Otse had alleged that some police officers stationed at highway checkpoints identify wealthy individuals travelling along the roads and subsequently pass their details to kidnappers and bandits.

Reacting to the Police invitation, the activist maintained that he was prepared to defend his allegations and challenged the Force to take legal action if it believed his claims were false.

The Police had described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to the reputation of the institution.

In a statement, the Force urged Otse to produce any evidence showing that police personnel identify wealthy individuals at checkpoints and transmit information about them to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.

The Police said allegations of such gravity required credible evidence and assured that any material presented by Otse would be investigated thoroughly.

The Force also maintained that its officers deployed to checkpoints were themselves exposed to attacks by kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups.

It, however, said any officer found to have compromised their duties or assisted criminals would face disciplinary measures and prosecution.

The confrontation comes amid continuing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity on Nigerian highways, with the role and conduct of security personnel at checkpoints remaining a subject of public debate.

Otse's challenge has now raised the prospect of a formal legal confrontation between the activist and the Police Force should the authorities decide to pursue the matter in court.