Afrobeats star Davido, nightlife entrepreneur Cubana Chief Priest, and other prominent Nigerians have condemned the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
VDM was reportedly picked up on Friday by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a bank in the Wuse area of Abuja. According to reports, the EFCC obtained a court order to detain him pending investigations into alleged cybercrime offences.
However, the manner of the arrest—described by many as resembling an abduction—has sparked widespread criticism and concern among his supporters, with the hashtag #FreeVDM trending across social media platforms.
Critics argue that the lack of transparency in his detention has blurred the line between a lawful arrest and a forced disappearance.
On Sunday, Davido took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to highlight VDM’s impact on the lives of everyday Nigerians.
Outside all the noise, it’s good to see that the good one does actually impact lives and people actually appreciate it! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging… makes one want to do more for the masses. FREE MY GUY,” he wrote.
Cubana Chief Priest also voiced his support via Instagram, describing VDM’s arrest as unjust.
We Just Dey Fake Happiness. @verydarkblackman Our Man Is Missing… The Voice Of The Voiceless Is Missing, The Hope Of The Hopeless Is Nowhere To Be Found. Free VDM Now!!!
Fans and followers of the outspoken influencer echoed similar sentiments:
- @ibrahimazeez21: “Exactly what Nigeria needs to get better… voices of strong men like you. Thank you, CP.”
- @supernickky_musik: “If VeryDarkMan can just go missing, then freedom of speech isn’t truly guaranteed.”
- @bigHotbaby1: “EFCC and politicians need to focus on real corruption and stop targeting voices that speak truth.”
Political figures have also weighed in. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, criticized the nature of VDM’s arrest in a post on X, calling for stricter adherence to legal procedures and civil rights.
The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled abduction… If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.
As public pressure mounts, many are demanding an official explanation and immediate release of VDM, whose case has become a flashpoint in ongoing conversations about human rights, activism, and freedom of speech in Nigeria.