Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Thousands of Nigerian youths on Monday morning poured onto the streets of Abuja in a massive peaceful protest against the arrest and continued detention of popular social media activist, Vicent Otsi Martins, widely known as VeryDarkMan.
The protest, which quickly gained national attention, saw a sea of young Nigerians mobilize in front of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters and the GTBank office in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of the outspoken influencer.
According to video clips obtained by Truth Live News, the demonstrators—many of them chanting slogans and holding placards—accused the EFCC of violating VeryDarkMan’s rights, calling his arrest “unlawful and politically motivated.”
“The whole of Abuja is blocked,” said Jojo, a fellow celebrity influencer, in a live Instagram video. “This is what happens when you silence the voice of the people. The youth are tired and are rising up.”
The protest, which began peacefully in the early hours of the morning, caused significant traffic disruptions across major parts of the city. Security personnel were seen monitoring the protest but reportedly kept a safe distance to avoid confrontation.
VeryDarkMan, who is known for his controversial takes and fearless criticism of institutions, was reportedly picked up by the EFCC over undisclosed allegations, sparking outrage among his large online following.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest or the protests. However, calls for his release are growing louder, with hashtags like #FreeVeryDarkMan and #JusticeForVDM dominating social media trends.
Observers say Monday’s demonstration reflects a growing frustration among Nigerian youth over issues of freedom of speech, police overreach, and systemic oppression of dissenting voices.
Stay with Truth Live News for more updates as this story develops.