đ¨ Protesters Storm GTBank Abuja Demanding Immediate Release of VeryDarkMan
Abuja, Nigeria â May 6, 2025
A wave of protests erupted at the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) headquarters in Abuja on Monday, as demonstrators demanded the immediate release of popular social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
đ˘ Chants, Placards, and Nationwide Anger
Chanting â#FreeVDMâ and carrying placards with messages like âActivism is not a sinâ, and âVDM is the massesâ liberatorâ, protesters accused authorities of wrongfully targeting the influencer for his vocal social criticism.
Some demonstrators were even seen chanting from moving vehicles across the capitalâs streets, calling attention to what they describe as an abuse of power.
đ The Arrest and the Controversy
VeryDarkMan was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of cyberstalking. His arrest has triggered a backlash online, with many alleging a politically motivated effort to muzzle dissent.
According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, the activist was ambushed and arrested at GTBank premises, a claim that ignited speculation over the bank’s potential role in the arrest.
đŚ GTBank Responds to Allegations
In response, GTBank strongly denied any involvement, releasing CCTV footage to support its stance. The bank issued a public statement stating that VeryDarkMan was not arrested on their premises and urged for a transparent investigation to clear the air.
âď¸ Freedom of Speech in Focus
Human rights organizations and free speech advocates have weighed in, warning of increasing threats to civil liberties in Nigeria. The #FreeVDM movement continues to trend across social media platforms as calls grow louder for authorities to respect democratic rights and protect activists.
â Whatâs Next?
With mounting public pressure and media attention, the case of VeryDarkMan has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate around free expression and digital activism in Nigeria.
