Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was arrested on Friday, May 2, 2025, at a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja. The incident has sparked widespread concern online, with critics questioning the role of both the bank and the authorities in what some describe as a targeted crackdown on dissenting voices.
According to VDM’s legal representative, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, the activist was ambushed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force shortly after visiting the bank with his mother. VDM had gone to the bank to address alleged unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account and to request a copy of her bank statement.
Adeyanju claimed that VDM was deliberately trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes, a move he believes was orchestrated to allow EFCC officers to carry out the arrest. “VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over 5 mins to enable EFCC arrest him and his friend,” Adeyanju stated. He further described the treatment as inhumane and announced plans to take legal action against GTBank.
VDM’s friend, identified as C Park, was also detained during the operation, but his mother was not arrested. Adeyanju confirmed that his legal team, led by Marvin Omorogbe, had located both men at the EFCC office and were working to secure their release. He added that VDM, who has been outspoken in his criticism of the Nigerian elite and government institutions, refused to see anyone while in custody.
The exact reasons for VDM’s arrest remain unclear, as neither the EFCC nor the police have released an official statement detailing the allegations. The incident has fueled concerns about the use of state agencies to silence activists and critics, a trend observers say has become increasingly common in recent years.
VDM’s arrest has drawn swift reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release and demanding accountability from both GTBank and the authorities involved.
