“This Feels Like Abduction”: Peter Obi Slams Security Agencies Over VeryDarkMan’s Arrest

 

Former presidential candidate and Labour Party stalwart, Peter Obi, has spoken out strongly against the recent arrest of popular social media personality Martin Vincent Otse, known widely by his alias VeryDarkMan (VDM). In a public statement released Sunday, Obi criticized the manner of the arrest, describing it as disturbing and potentially dangerous to Nigeria’s democratic framework.

Echoing public concern, Obi stated that while the arrest itself might have been within legal limits, the method employed by security operatives bore the semblance of an abduction. The use of force, lack of clarity, and seemingly covert nature of the operation, he argued, contributes to growing fear and distrust among citizens—especially at a time when economic hardship and insecurity already cast long shadows over everyday life.

Security agencies, Obi noted, are not above the law and must operate within the bounds of civility and transparency. He warned that blurring the lines between legal enforcement and unlawful seizure threatens to normalize a culture of state intimidation. “If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions,” he warned, “we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.”

The issue, however, extends beyond the immediate concerns surrounding VDM’s arrest. Obi pointed to a pattern of heavy-handed tactics that have, in recent years, even been directed at members of the judiciary. He recalled instances where judges—symbols of legal integrity—have faced disrespect and unlawful treatment. “When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard,” Obi lamented, “it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.”

This erosion of public trust, he said, extends into the economy as well. The fallout from VDM’s arrest has reached the private sector, particularly Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which has found itself caught in the crossfire of public outrage. The bank has faced significant online backlash amid allegations of involvement in the controversial arrest. Obi voiced concern that such developments could further shake investor confidence and harm the business environment in a country already grappling with economic instability.

“Our institutions,” he emphasized, “must not be used in ways that damage their credibility. Actions that spark public anger and international skepticism have far-reaching effects on how we are perceived as a nation.”

Rather than dramatized displays of authority, Obi advocated for civil and lawful procedures, suggesting that the situation could have been resolved more appropriately with a formal invitation for questioning. “Was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner?” he asked pointedly. “Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”

Obi’s statement didn’t stop with the VDM controversy. He also turned attention to student leadership, raising alarms over recent allegations that the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was “adopted” into a political structure without clear consent from the student body. If proven true, he argued, the move signals a dangerous erosion of youth independence and further suppresses democratic participation among Nigeria’s young population.

“Youth should not feel coerced, silenced, or absorbed into political agendas that do not reflect their will,” Obi warned. “The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize.”

The underlying concern in Obi’s message centers on the integrity of Nigeria’s institutions—from law enforcement to the judiciary to student unions. Each plays a pivotal role in shaping the national character and upholding the rule of law. When they begin to serve political ends or act with impunity, the very foundation of democracy is threatened.

Calling for a renewed commitment to justice, he urged a national reset—one that restores faith in due process, protects the rights of citizens, and upholds the dignity of public institutions. “We must return to a Nigeria where justice is done and is seen to be done without theatrics or abuse,” he said. “A country where youth can speak freely, judges can serve with dignity, and institutions act responsibly.”

Obi’s remarks come at a time when civic space in Nigeria feels increasingly constrained. His statement serves not only as a rebuke of recent events but also as a broader appeal for moral and political accountability. Whether his words will inspire meaningful change remains to be seen, but they resonate with a public increasingly disillusioned by governance and the perceived misuse of power.

As the dust continues to settle around the VDM case, questions remain about the conduct of law enforcement agencies, the involvement of corporate entities, and the protection of youth voices in a shifting democratic landscape. For many, Obi’s intervention provides a moment of clarity—and perhaps a rallying cry for a more just Nigeria.