VeryDarkMan’s arrest deeply unsettling –Peter Obi

Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the arrest of popular social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the incident as “deeply unsettling” and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

Otse was reportedly picked up by EFCC operatives at the premises of a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja on Friday, in an operation that quickly went viral online and drew widespread condemnation.

Supporters of the activist, known as the “Ratel Gang,” have accused GTBank of collaborating with security agencies by tipping them off, a claim that has sparked public backlash and reputational damage for the bank.

In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday night, Obi expressed concern over what he called the increasingly aggressive and opaque nature of law enforcement actions in the country.

He likened the manner of Otse’s arrest to abduction, warning that such conduct creates fear and confusion among the populace and undermines trust in legal institutions.

“The arrest of Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), though perhaps within the legal rights of security agencies, was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled,” Obi wrote.

“The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction — a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements.”

The Labour Party chieftain cautioned that if Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between lawful arrests and unlawful abductions, the nation risks losing a critical layer of national security, accountability, and public confidence.

Highlighting broader concerns, Obi recalled similar incidents where even judges — custodians of Nigeria’s judicial system — had been subjected to humiliating treatment by security agencies.

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“When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law,” he noted.

Obi also raised alarm over the potential economic consequences of such law enforcement tactics. He pointed to the backlash against GTBank as a case study in how heavy-handed operations can damage institutional credibility and deter investor confidence.

“At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community,” he said.

The former governor questioned whether a more transparent and respectful approach could have been taken. “Was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner? Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”

Obi further expressed concern over reports suggesting that the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had also been “adopted” under questionable circumstances, raising concerns about the independence of student leadership.

He warned against the coercion and political manipulation of Nigerian youth, stressing that silencing young voices through force or patronage would set a dangerous precedent.

“The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize.”

He concluded with a call to return to a Nigeria governed by justice, dignity, and rule of law. “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse. A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly. That is the Nigeria we must rebuild,” Obi stated.