NBA Confab: VDM, Sowore Raise Fresh Concerns Over Insecurity, DSS Surveillance

Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has accused Nigeria’s security agencies of failing to prevent kidnapping and violent attacks across the country.

Otse made the allegation during a special session at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he appeared alongside senior security officials, including the Inspector-General of Police.

Speaking on the topic, “Known Gun Men,” the activist challenged security agencies to identify those responsible for attacks commonly attributed to “unknown gunmen”.

“You people know where these people are. You people know these ‘unknown gunmen’. But nothing is happening. There are no unknown gunmen anywhere,” he said.

Otse alleged that security personnel at checkpoints along major highways could be providing information that enables kidnappers to identify potential victims.

He cited the Lagos-Abuja route, particularly the Lokoja axis, where he said numerous police checkpoints had failed to prevent kidnappings.

“Everybody knows who is rich, who is poor, and everybody knows the people that belong to the middle class,” he said, alleging that information obtained during routine vehicle checks could subsequently be passed to criminals.

The activist also raised concerns about the impact of insecurity on the judiciary, referring to the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto who was kidnapped in Kebbi State on July 26 and released about a week later.

“This is not the topic of ‘if I may, my Lord’, because a lot of your lords are being kidnapped,” he said.

Otse said his assessment of insecurity was influenced by what he described as his firsthand experiences at scenes of violence.

“I was the first respondent at Yelwata. I was also the first respondent when some women were killed some time ago,” he said.

He also referred to the aftermath of attacks in Borno State, including what he described as a Sallah Day bombing and incidents linked to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive,” he said.

Speaking about the Yelwata killings, Otse described the incident as a retaliatory attack following the killing of a Fulani man.

He also criticised the Nigerian media for what he described as inadequate coverage of violent attacks and their consequences.

The activist said his invitation to the NBA conference was not intended to make him a law instructor but to allow him to share his experiences of insecurity.

“There has been a lot of debate as to why VeryDarkMan is invited. I am not here to teach you the law. I am here to share an experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were tracking his movements in Port Harcourt, where he is attending the NBA Annual General Conference.

Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Tuesday, claiming that an electronic tracking device was discovered underneath a security vehicle used by his team.

He said the discovery followed what he described as suspicious movements noticed after he and his associates attended a gathering organised by the Kay Hikers group.

According to him, the team decided to change vehicles after becoming suspicious of the movements around them.

“The lawless @OfficialDSSNG has apparently been tracking my movements since I arrived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference,” Sowore wrote.

The allegations by Otse and Sowore come amid continuing concerns over insecurity, kidnapping and the conduct of security agencies across the country.