Eben Enasco
The Nigeria Police Force says it has launched an investigation into a circulating video featuring Martins Otse, popularly addressed as Verydarkman, VDM, wearing a semblance of the police uniform and claiming to be the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, of the online division.
The statement is credited to the Police Force on it “X” handle tagged, “NIGERIA POLICE CONDEMNS UNLAWFUL USE OF POLICE UNIFORMS BY CONTENT CREATORS”, and made public on Saturday.
The police force in the statement released, disassociated itself from VDM’s actions, emphasizing that unauthorized use of police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements is a criminal offense under Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law
This is not the first time the police have addressed this issue; in 2022, they expressed concerns over the illegal possession and use of police uniforms and accoutrements by individuals and content creators
VDM’s video sparked outrage, with many calling for police action.
He was heard and seen on the video footage saying he was out to correct those misusing social media spaces, general oppression, especially the online vendors defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard earned monies in the guise of supplying them with their products.
In his words; ” I am CSP Verydarkman of the online division and the Nigeria number one online Police. I am not an activist, stop calling me an activist. Like every one out there, I am dedicated to sanitizing online spaces by using my platform against those abusing power, oppressors and especially my favorite customers the online vendors. The online vendors that will collect money from customers and not deliver the goods”.
The development attracted diverse responses from the public where many are of the view that he has crossed the red lines calling for police investigations.
While reminding the public that the unauthorized use of Police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements constitutes a criminal offense, as stipulated in Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law, emphasized that all actions negating it position is subject to strict penalties.
The Nigeria Police Force expressed recognition and supports of the creativity of young Nigerians in the content creation space, but strongly caution against the misuse of Police uniforms or symbols.
The police foreclosed that it’s taking a strong stance against an unauthorized use of these items undermining the values and integrity of the Force where it aimed to uphold it values and ensure that only authorized personnel use police gear.
