Garki, Abuja — Peter Obi, one of Nigeria’s prominent opposition leaders, has openly condemned the arrest of social media figure Martin Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Obi expressed his concerns on Sunday, May 4, describing the incident as one of several worrying signs about the current state of democracy in Nigeria.
In a personally signed statement, the Labour Party presidential hopeful remarked that the prevailing hardship in the country is being worsened by what he called a disregard for human rights and the rule of law. He pointed out that the tension in the nation “is being needlessly fueled by our attitude to the rule of law and human rights.”
While addressing the arrest of VDM, Obi acknowledged that security agencies may have acted within their legal powers but strongly criticized the method used. According to him, the operation lacked transparency and civility, unsettling many Nigerians.
He stated: “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. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.”
Obi further drew attention to a worrying pattern, reminding Nigerians that even high-ranking members of the judiciary have in the past been subjected to similar humiliating treatments.
“This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges, the last line of defence for justice, have suffered similar indignities in recent years. 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.”
Peter Obi also directed his remarks toward Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which has been linked to the circumstances surrounding VDM’s arrest. The former Anambra State governor cautioned the financial institution about the possible damage to its public image.
He said:
“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 added: “One cannot help but ask: 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?”
Naturenex recalls, VeryDarkMan was reportedly arrested by police officers at a GTBank branch in Abuja, while accompanied by his friend identified as C Park. His mother, who was with them, was left behind during the operation. The incident came to light after VDM’s associate, Koko Pee, sounded an alarm on Instagram about his sudden disappearance following a visit to the bank.
Before his arrest, VDM had taken to social media, alleging that his mother’s account at GTBank had experienced unauthorised deductions. He claimed the withdrawals were marked as “loan repayments,” although his mother never took out any loans. The social media critic had even posted screenshots of the debit alerts, sparking public conversations about banking transparency and accountability.
