Social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has explained his presence at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2026 Annual General Conference, saying his invitation was connected to his experiences with insecurity and violence. He made the clarification during a panel discussion in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The activist’s participation had generated questions among some members of the public, particularly over the inclusion of a social media personality in a major gathering of legal professionals. The NBA conference is scheduled to run from August 21 to 28.
Addressing the issue, VDM said his role was not to discuss legal practice but to contribute personal experiences to the conversation on insecurity. The session was titled “Unknown Known Gunmen.”
“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience.”
He linked the subject to the security challenges confronting Nigerians, including members of the judiciary. VDM referred to the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto, saying the judge was kidnapped in Kebbi on July 26 and released after about a week. The details were presented by VDM during the discussion.
The activist also spoke about his reported presence at locations affected by violent incidents, arguing that such experiences had shaped his views on the country’s security situation.
“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive.”
Among the incidents he mentioned were the Yelwata attack, a reported Sallah Day bombing in Borno and incidents involving the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and a post office. VDM said he had witnessed some of the aftermath and, in the case of Yelwata, described himself as one of the first responders.
He further gave his own account of the circumstances surrounding the Yelwata violence, linking it to an alleged retaliatory attack following the killing of a Fulani boy. That explanation was presented as VDM’s account during the panel and should not be treated as an independently established finding without corroborating evidence.
VDM’s appearance therefore focused on bringing personal experiences and observations about insecurity into a discussion involving members of Nigeria’s legal profession, rather than presenting him as a legal expert.
