The Nigeria Police Force has publicly challenged controversial social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VDM, to substantiate his explosive allegations that some police officers collaborate with bandits and even lease firearms to criminal elements.

The demand follows remarks made by the activist during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference on Tuesday, where he painted a grim picture of the country's policing system, blaming poor welfare conditions for alleged misconduct among some officers.

Speaking before legal practitioners and other stakeholders, VDM claimed that inadequate welfare and remuneration had pushed some officers into compromising situations, alleging that certain personnel pass sensitive information to bandits and kidnappers.

“There is no welfare for them. Instead of protecting us, they turned on us. They pass information to the bandits. They even rent their guns to them sometimes,” he said.

The comments quickly generated reactions across social media, reigniting debates over police accountability, corruption and the country's worsening security challenges.

However, the Police Force has dismissed the allegations as unproven and potentially damaging, insisting that accusations of such magnitude cannot rest on public statements alone.

In a statement released on Thursday, Force spokesperson Ani Iniedu said the institution would not ignore allegations that question its integrity but maintained that claims linking officers to criminal networks must be supported with credible evidence.

According to the Force, while it remains committed to investigating misconduct wherever it exists, broad accusations suggesting that police personnel are actively aiding the very crimes they are mandated to fight unfairly tarnish the image of thousands of officers serving across the country.

The police argued that many personnel continue to risk their lives daily in difficult and dangerous conditions, making it unjust to portray the entire institution as compromised without proof.

“The Nigeria Police Force firmly rejects these allegations as unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an institution entrusted with the protection of millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.

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The Force further noted that allegations involving collaboration with bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups are serious national security concerns that require verifiable facts and not speculation.

In a dramatic twist, the Police formally invited VDM to submit any evidence in his possession, including proof of his claim that some officers stationed at checkpoints allegedly identify wealthy individuals and relay their information to kidnappers who later target them for abduction.

Police authorities assured the public that any evidence presented would be treated as a matter of urgency and subjected to a thorough investigation.

Despite rejecting the allegations, the Force acknowledged that misconduct among individual officers remains a possibility and reiterated its commitment to accountability.

It stressed that any officer found guilty of corruption, criminal collaboration or abuse of office would face disciplinary action and possible prosecution.

“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law. But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” Iniedu stated.

The latest exchange has further intensified discussions about trust in law enforcement and the challenges confronting Nigeria's security architecture.

With the Police now demanding proof and promising an investigation if evidence emerges, attention is turning to whether VDM will provide documents, testimonies or other material to support claims that have sparked widespread controversy nationwide.