VeryDarkMan made the apology in a post and video he posted on his X account after he was grilled by the Nigerian police on Wednesday for alleged impersonation.
A blogger, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has tendered a public apology to the Nigeria Police Force for using police uniform in a viral video where he described himself as a CSP of an online division.
VeryDarkMan made the apology in a post and video he posted on his X account after he was grilled by the Nigerian police on Wednesday for alleged impersonation.
The social media influencer professed unawareness of the protocol, stating he didn't know police permission was required to wear police uniforms or other similar ones.
He, therefore, cautioned fellow content creators to obtain necessary clearance from law enforcement before using similar uniforms for content purposes.
He said, “I'm back from the police station which was back and forth. They brought me in based on a post I made where I said I was a CSP of an online division.
“A lot of discussion happened, interrogation and I found out some things. You know we learn every day. I made my video and I said CSP. In my own interpretation, what I meant was Chief Social Media Person.
“However, the Nigeria Police have a rank called CSP which means Chief Superintendent of Police. And also, they said the uniform I was wearing is similar to the Nigeria Police.
“That if at all you want to use a uniform that is similar to that of the Nigeria Police, you have to seek permission, which I didn't know all these. It looked as if I was cajoling the Nigeria Police which was never my intention.
“I want to make a formal apology to the Nigeria Police. Of course I cannot caricature you. Without you, who is going to protect us?”
He said he didn't intend to impersonate the police in any way.
“I tender my unreserved apologies to the Nigeria police force and the office of the inspector general of police.
“And also, I will like to use the medium to tell the general public to always seek permission from the police or other law enforcement agencies before using anything that might look like their uniform.
“You might want to use it for good but there are others that might want to use it for bad, so it's good to get full approval before using anything that might seem impersonating the Nigeria Police Force,” he added.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Nigeria Police Force strongly condemned the unauthorised use of official uniforms and accouterments by content creators, while referring to VeryDarkMan’s case.
The police in a statement on Saturday reminded Nigerians that unauthorised use of police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements constitutes a criminal offence.
While it said that an investigation into VeryDarkMan’s video had been launched to determine the source of the police gear used, as well as the authority under which he acted, the Force disassociated itself from the unauthorised portrayal.
Also, in 2022, the police expressed concerns over individuals, movie makers, and skit makers using police uniforms and accoutrements without approval.
Back from the police station
where I was interrogated based on the post I made wearing a costume that the police claim is
similar to theirs, l didn't intend to impersonate the police in anyway and I tender my unreserved apologies to the Nigeria police force and the
office of the… pic.twitter.com/S6qMxEC79L— Verydarkblackman (@Coolverydarkma) October 30, 2024