Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria / NBA Conference
VeryDarkMan’s Speech at NBA Conference Divides Nigerians
Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has blamed politics and beneficiaries of insecurity for Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

VDM stated this on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, while speaking as a panelist at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference. The session focused on insecurity and his experiences covering violent incidents across the country.

His invitation to the high-profile legal gathering triggered mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning why an activist was invited to address senior lawyers, while others applauded the NBA for giving him a platform.

Speaking during the panel, VDM, who described himself as an “online police,” argued that politics is at the core of insecurity in Nigeria.
“I think the root of insecurity is politics. The people who benefit from it are the ones who cause it: the government, the police, the military men. The people are the sacrificial lamb, and they don’t benefit from anything.

The need to make it easy for Nigerians to protect themselves because they are understaffed. The ones on the ground – there’s no welfare for them, so they turn on us,” he said.
He also linked the issue of open cattle grazing to politics, claiming the business enjoys government backing and is used for money laundering.

When pressed on who is involved, he said: “When they asked Wike about the cow. He said he can’t talk about it. He knows the people who have invested in it, so bring him and ask him.”

On the theme of the session, VDM made a controversial claim: “There are no unknown gunmen anywhere. The military, police, immigration, and customs are the unknown gunmen; nobody else.”

He questioned the proliferation of checkpoints across the country, especially along the Abuja-Lokoja axis, despite frequent kidnappings on the route. According to him, security operatives at checkpoints allegedly profile motorists to identify those who can afford ransom and pass information to accomplices ahead.

Addressing the criticism over his invitation, VDM said: “There has been a debate as to why I was invited here. I’m not here to teach you the law, I am here to share an experience. The topic says Known Gun Men.”

Mixed Reactions

His appearance sparked debate on social media:

X user, Àníké Olójú wrote: “VDM invited to NBA conference after all the book wey una read? Ehn Nigeria Lawyers.”

Another user, Diaz Billions, said: “NBA put VDM on a panel to speak to lawyers, where lawyers paid hard-earned money to attend?”

Averroes opined: “You invited someone who clearly lacks the basic decorum and civility expected of a speaker at an intellectual gathering…”

On Instagram, Domingo Loso praised him: “Young man of just 32 years of age, commanding such presence and power. Love seeing this.”

It’s Ijay added: “He’s going places. If only he stays away from certain issues.”

Following his speech, VDM was said to have apologised after a military representative present cautioned him against making unproven claims. He was also presented with an award for sharing his experience at the conference.
SOURCE: Pulse Nigeria