VeryDarkMan alleged at the NBA conference that security agencies know perpetrators of violent attacks but have failed to stop them.
Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has accused Nigeria’s security agencies of knowing the identities and whereabouts of perpetrators of kidnappings and violent attacks across the country but failing to take action against them.
Otse made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he participated in a panel that included the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs.
Speaking during the session titled, “Known Gun Men,” VDM challenged the recurring description of perpetrators of violent attacks as “unknown gunmen,” insisting that security agencies had sufficient information to identify those responsible.
“You people know where these people are. You people know these ‘unknown gunmen’. But nothing is happening,” he said.
The activist went further, making sweeping allegations against personnel of several security agencies, including the military, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service.
“There are no unknown gunmen anywhere. The military men are the unknown gunmen, the Immigration, the Customs they are the unknown gunmen. Nobody else,” he alleged.
Otse did not provide evidence at the conference to substantiate the allegation against the security agencies.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the numerous security checkpoints on major Nigerian highways despite the persistence of kidnappings.
Using the Lagos-Abuja route as an example, VDM alleged that some personnel manning checkpoints could identify the perceived financial status of travellers from their vehicles and potentially pass such information to kidnappers.
“When you pass with a car, you will meet a checkpoint, the policeman tells you to wind down the car glass, open your boot you open it. Believe me, everybody knows who is rich, who is poor, and everybody knows the people that belong to the middle class,” he said.
According to him, such information could potentially be used to identify motorists considered capable of paying substantial ransoms.
VDM warned his audience of lawyers that insecurity was no longer a problem affecting only ordinary citizens, arguing that members of the judiciary had also become victims.
He cited the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto who was kidnapped in Kebbi State on July 26 and reportedly held for about a week before regaining freedom.
“This is not the topic of ‘if I may, my Lord’, because a lot of your lords are being kidnapped,” Otse told participants.
He said his views on Nigeria’s security situation were informed partly by his experiences visiting scenes of violent attacks.
VDM claimed to have been among the first responders at Yelwata and other locations where attacks had occurred, saying the experiences exposed him to the human consequences of insecurity.
“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive,” he said.
He also recalled the aftermath of attacks, including a Sallah Day bombing in Borno State and incidents linked to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Speaking about the Yelwata killings, Otse characterised the violence as retaliation following the killing of a Fulani man, alleging that the subsequent attack was carried out in response.
VDM also turned his criticism towards the Nigerian media, accusing news organisations of failing to adequately report violent attacks and their consequences.
Explaining why he accepted the invitation to address lawyers at the conference, the activist said he was not attempting to lecture legal practitioners about the law but wanted to give an account of his encounters with insecurity.
“I am not here to teach you the law. I am here to share an experience,” he said.
He stressed that the consequences of insecurity extended to lawyers, judges and the administration of justice and should therefore concern the legal profession.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) used another session at the NBA conference to advocate greater investment in agriculture and other sustainable sectors as part of efforts to reduce the Niger Delta’s dependence on oil.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, speaking during a session on resource control, acknowledged the contribution of petroleum resources to Nigeria’s development but warned that the region could not depend indefinitely on oil.
Ogbuku also stressed the importance of reliable data in determining the volume of resources produced in the Niger Delta and what should accrue to the region in return.
“Without accurate information on what the Niger Delta produces, it would be difficult to determine what it is entitled to receive,” he said.
He identified agriculture as a major area requiring investment because of its potential to strengthen food security, generate employment and provide sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women and young people.
The NDDC also highlighted ongoing institutional reforms, its digitalisation programme, training of young people in artificial intelligence and other digital skills, as well as the adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance principles.
According to the Commission, its transition from “transaction to transformation” is intended to strengthen governance and accountability while improving the sustainability of development projects across the Niger Delta.
NDDC Board Chairman, Chiedu Ebie, and Ogbuku were also presented with awards in recognition of the Commission’s contributions to the development of the region.
