- Safiu Kehinde
The arrest of Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked online campaign for his release.
NPO Reported that VDM was arrested by a group of armed security operatives initially suspected to be policemen at a Garki branch of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja.
The activist had stormed the bank alongside his mother over deductions from the woman’s account in settlement of a loan she allegedly took.
VDM would be nabbed and whisked away shortly after arriving at the bank by the armed men confirmed to be EFCC operatives.
Also confirming his arrest were his manager, Kokopee, and brother , Mark Vincent Otse.
Mark would later, in a post on his Instagram handle on Friday evening disclosed that VDM was brutalized and denied medical treatment.
He also disclosed that the EFCC refused to release him which was also confirmed by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
With the activist still in EFCC’s custody, netizens, social media influencers, and prominent Nigerians have called for the release of VDM.
The campaign for his release has taken over X platform with some X users describing the campaign as a movement.
Lead the voices is Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido, who took to his X handle to demand the release of VDM.
“Outside all the noise it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and Pple actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging.. makes one want to do more for the masses ❤️ FREE MY GUY” Davido wrote.
“This isn’t a trend this is a movement, Celebrities all over the country has been speaking with one voice and that is~Free VeryDarkMan, we won’t stop until VDM is released 💪🏾💯” @exxenceofficial wrote.
“You may not like him,but the good he has done is better than that 1 bad thing he said which made you hate him. If you stand with Verydarkman Like and Repost till he is released. Verydarkman must be released.”@fmajorzone
“The arrest of verydarkman might be plot to silence him forever, Efcc is another hit squad the government uses to silence people, Nigerians should not let this happen, if vdm goes today who is there to help the children of nobodys, who will fight against fake drugs”@Ewewen96
“VeryDarkMan is the person you just wouldn’t want to be associated with if you are on the wrong side of the law. He’s grown an online presence that cannot be pulled down.”@EcheCee
“This is no longer an arrest cos after 48hrs, the EFCC is yet to put out any statement on the reason behind his arrest or the adoption of Verydarkman. What sort of lawlessness is running the country?”@luvinxtain
“If they can arrest VeryDarkMan for speaking the truth, then who’s next? This is bigger than one man — it’s about freedom of speech in Nigeria. We can’t stay silent.”@abdul
“You may not agree with his tone or style, but you can’t deny his heart for the people. VeryDarkMan has stood up for the voiceless, exposed injustice, and spoken truth where many remained silent. One mistake shouldn’t erase the many times he’s fought for what’s right.”@Dorisyakubuu
“Dear Nigerians, we should not ignore VeryDarkMan’s situation, because I am very sure that if any of us were In his shoes, he would make videos against GTBank, agitate to make sure things are done the right way!”@Gaiusemulate