- Safiu Kehinde
Protesters agitating for the release of arrested Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, have arrived at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
NPO Reported that the arrest of the activist on Friday had sparked public outrage which became an online campaign as netizens, celebrities, and other social media influencers call for VDM’s release.
He was apprehended at a Guarantee Trust Bank’s (GTBank) branch in Garki Area of Abuja by armed security operatives confirmed to be EFCC officials.
Having earlier stormed the bank on Monday morning over its alleged involvement in the arrest of VDM, the protesters marched to the EFCC headquarters with placards and banners.
As captured in a video circulating on X, the protesters blocked the road leading to the headquarters, obstructing traffic flow.
They were however restricted from advancing to the complex by armed Policemen earlier deployed to the EFCC’s office.
Some of of the protesters could be heard challenging the police officers charging them to channel their energy in fighting bandits, terrorists, and insecurity across the country rather than being mobilized against peaceful protesters.
“People dey die for Plateau. People dey die for Benue State. Na people like us na him dem dey gather for. We dey EFCC headquarters now in Abuja. Make dem free VDM.’ One of the protesters said in the post.
However, the EFCC, Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, has confirmed that VDM was arrested and held in custody by the anti-graft agency.
Oyewale, in an interview with BBC Pidgin, claimed the activist was arrested over multiple petitions over alleged cyber stalking filed against him.