{
  "id": 3492307,
  "title": "Security Agencies Accused of Shielding ‘Unknown Gunmen’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/security-agencies-accused-of-shielding-unknown-gunmen",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T10:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/26/security-agencies-accused-of-shielding-unknown-gunmen/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Security agencies in Nigeria are accused of shielding the identities and whereabouts of kidnappers and violent attackers, according to social media activist Martins Otse. Otse made the allegations during a panel discussion at the Nigerian Bar Association's 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, accusing the agencies of knowing the identities and locations of the perpetrators but failing to take action. Otse claimed that security personnel, including military men, immigration officers, and customs officials, were among the actual perpetrators of insecurity, dismissing the term \"unknown gunmen.\" He questioned the effectiveness of police checkpoints on major highways, alleging that some checkpoint personnel could identify potential ransom-paying motorists and pass information to kidnappers. Otse also highlighted a recent kidnapping of a judge in Kebbi State, stating that the judiciary had also become a target of insecurity. He urged for greater investment in agriculture and other sustainable sectors to reduce the Niger Delta's dependence on oil, warning that the region cannot rely on oil indefinitely.",
  "summary": "Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), yesterday accused Nigeria’s security agencies of knowing the identities and whereabouts of perpetrators of kidnappings and violent",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}