The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has called for an independent investigation into allegations of police complicity in kidnapping made by Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said the allegations should not be treated as established facts, but argued that their seriousness requires a credible, transparent and independent investigation.
The group said the investigation should examine previous allegations involving security personnel, the effectiveness of highway checkpoints, the withdrawal of security personnel before reported abductions and the handling of information obtained from travellers.
RULAAC also questioned the continued occurrence of highway kidnappings despite the presence of security checkpoints, saying this raises concerns about possible weaknesses or corruption within checkpoint operations.
It called for the involvement of civilian accountability institutions, including the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as relevant investigative and prosecutorial authorities where evidence of criminal conduct emerges.
The group also criticised the continued use of the term “unknown gunmen” when attacks occur repeatedly in identifiable locations, urging security agencies to establish who finances, supplies and provides intelligence to such criminal groups.
RULAAC urged Otse to submit any credible evidence he has to investigators and called on the Nigeria Police Force to subject the allegations to an independently verifiable probe.
The organisation said a credible investigation would either establish that the allegations are false or ensure that those found responsible face disciplinary and criminal consequences.
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