Youths Fill Abuja Streets in Protest Against VDM's Imprisonment
Riots Erupt in Abuja as Young Demand Freedom for VeryDarkMan
In a show of defiance, young citizens of Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, took to the bustling streets, waving placards and demanding the immediate release of a popular social media personality and rights activist, Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The demonstrators varied in age, yet shared a common goal: to free VeryDarkMan from the clutches of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to our sources, these protesters were spotted in the Wuse area, just past the Berger bridge, denouncing the arrest and detention of VDM as illegal. They even vowed to escalate their protest to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the Maitama district.
The furor follows VDM's detainment on May 4, 2025, allegedly due to "multiple petitions" claiming financial misdeeds. Though specifics remain scant, the EFCC asserts they possess "substantial evidence" to prosecute him. As of May 5, charges had already been lodged.
However, the public's response has been anything but silent. Critics argue that the timing of the arrest is questionable, given VDM's reputation for commenting on corruption and governance—particularly among public figures. This incident underscores the tense relationship between Nigerian authorities and digital-rights activists.
The Take It Back (TIB) Movement is one of the organizations expressing disapproval, labeling the arrest as "unlawful," and demanding immediate release. As protests mount, Abuja's streets echo with skepticism about the EFCC’s motives.
The ongoing saga also draws comparisons to similar cases, such as the detainment of Aisha Achimugu and the ongoing investigations involving the N-Power Beneficiaries and Umar-Farouk. Even public figures like Davido, Skales, and Peter Obi are voicing their concerns about the direction of democracy in Nigeria.
As the situation unfolds, we'll continue to monitor the story and bring you the latest updates.
- The protesters in Abuja demanded the release of VeryDarkMan (VDM), a popular social media personality and rights activist, who was imprisoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
- The protesters, including young citizens of Abuja, Nigeria, were united in their efforts to free VDM and viewed his detainment as illegal.
- The EFCC claimed to possess substantial evidence to prosecute VDM, but the public response has been critical, suggesting the timing of the arrest is questionable given VDM's focus on corruption and governance.
- The Take It Back (TIB) Movement and several public figures, including Davido, Skales, and Peter Obi, have voiced concerns about the direction of democracy in Nigeria in light of VDM's detainment.
- The ongoing case involving VDM is being compared to similar cases, such as the detainment of Aisha Achimugu and the ongoing investigations involving the N-Power Beneficiaries and Umar-Farouk.
- Nigeria's general news landscape is filled with debates about the relationship between Nigerian authorities and digital-rights activists, as incidents like VDM's arrest highlight tension in this area.
