Peter Obi Condemns ‘Abduction-Style’ Arrest of VeryDarkMan, Warns of Threat to National Security and Rule of Law

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the arrest of social media commentator Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing the manner of his apprehension as “deeply unsettling” and akin to an abduction.

In a statement released yesterday, Obi said the style of VDM’s arrest raised serious concerns about due process and the broader implications for civil liberties in Nigeria.

“This is a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements,” Obi warned, adding that blurring the line between lawful arrest and unlawful abduction could undermine public trust in law enforcement and weaken national security.

Highlighting past incidents, Obi recalled how even members of the judiciary—custodians of justice—had been subjected to similar treatment. “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,” he said.

Obi, who recently returned from a global tour that included academic engagements in the U.S. and attendance at the Vatican funeral of Pope Francis, expressed concern over the economic and reputational damage such actions cause. “Was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner?” he asked. “Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”

He also raised alarm over what he described as a troubling pattern, citing the reported abduction of a President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). According to Obi, such actions threaten the independence of student leadership and signal a quiet erosion of democratic engagement among the youth.

In a week marked by national mourning, Obi also paid tribute to several prominent Nigerians who passed away, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pascal Dozie, Dubem Onyia, and Prof. Olufunmilayo Yetunde Oloruntimehin. Speaking at their various funerals, Obi praised their legacies of integrity, innovation, and service.

“These lives were beacons of what Nigeria can be,” Obi said. “May we honour them not just in memory, but in the Nigeria we choose to build—a just, united, and compassionate nation that is Possible.”