Protesters flooded a new generation bank in Abuja on Monday, chanting slogans like "#FreeVDM" and waving placards emblazoned with messages such as "Activism is not a sin" and "VDM has committed no offense." The demonstration was sparked by the recent arrest of popular social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, known widely as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of cyberstalking.
According to VDM's lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, the activist was ambushed and arrested inside the bank premises. However, the bank has denied any involvement in the arrest, and in a statement, it released CCTV footage showing VDM walking out of the banking hall and heading toward the car park shortly before he was detained.
Despite the bank’s statement, the protesters are adamant that the arrest is part of a broader attempt to silence the outspoken activist. They argue that VDM’s activism, which often targets government policies and public figures, has made him a target of authorities.
The protest, which drew a crowd of supporters, further ignited online outrage, with many individuals on social media joining the calls for VDM's immediate release. Critics of the EFCC’s handling of the arrest claim that it represents a chilling attempt to suppress freedom of expression and punish those who challenge the status quo.
As the situation continues to unfold, the protest highlights the growing tensions between activists, the government, and institutions in Nigeria, with many demanding justice for the detained influencer and accountability for those involved in his arrest.
