Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has accused some Nigerian security personnel of having links with kidnappers and armed groups operating across the country. Additionally, the issue of VDM unknown gunmen continues to be a topic of national concern.
In a video shared by Arise News, Otse made the allegations while speaking at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. During the conference, he questioned how kidnappings and violent attacks continue despite the presence of numerous security checkpoints, especially as the problem of VDM unknown gunmen persists.
‘There are no unknown gunmen’
VeryDarkMan challenged the popular description of perpetrators of violent attacks as “unknown gunmen.” He argued that security agencies should have enough information to identify those responsible, particularly in cases identified with VDM unknown gunmen activity.
“There are no unknown gunmen anywhere. The military men are the unknown gunmen. Immigration and Customs officials are the unknown gunmen,” he alleged.
Otse did not provide evidence during the session to substantiate the allegation against the security agencies.
He also argued that authorities already have information that could help identify people responsible for some attacks. However, they have failed to act decisively, which allows issues like VDM unknown gunmen cases to continue.
Checkpoints come under scrutiny
VeryDarkMan specifically questioned the large number of security checkpoints on major Nigerian highways despite recurring cases of kidnapping.
Citing journeys between Lagos and Abuja, particularly around the Lokoja axis, he said motorists frequently encounter police checkpoints. At those checkpoints, officers ask occupants to wind down their windows and open their vehicle boots.
He alleged that such interactions could allow corrupt personnel to assess travellers. As a result, they can identify those considered financially capable of paying ransom.
According to him, information about particular vehicles and their occupants could then be passed to criminal groups. These groups operate further along the route.
“When they look at you, okay, when you pass, they make those calls and say, ‘the red Corolla, somebody is there that can pay,’” he alleged.
‘It’s not rocket science’
VeryDarkMan argued that the persistence of kidnappings around areas with significant security presence raises questions that authorities need to answer.
He maintained that understanding how criminals repeatedly operate around heavily monitored routes should not be difficult. This is especially true if security agencies genuinely investigate connections between attackers and people who may be supplying them with information.
“It’s not rocket science,” he said.
The activist’s comments formed part of a wider discussion on insecurity at the NBA conference. There, he said his contribution was based on experiences gathered from visiting communities affected by violence rather than an attempt to lecture lawyers on legal matters.
His allegations have since generated discussion on social media, particularly over his claim that rogue security personnel could be feeding information to criminal networks.
The accusations remain allegations. Furthermore, no evidence establishing institutional involvement by the military, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service or the police was presented during his remarks.
