Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has raised concerns over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, warning that violent attacks and kidnappings have become serious threats even to members of the legal profession.
VeryDarkMan spoke on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, while participating as a panellist at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association’s 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His appearance at the conference had generated controversy among some members of the public and legal community, with critics questioning why a social media personality was invited to speak at an event attended by senior lawyers and other legal professionals.
Responding to the criticism, VeryDarkMan explained that he was not invited to teach lawyers about the law but to share his experiences concerning insecurity and violence across the country.
He said the subject of the session, which focused on the activities of unknown gunmen and the security challenges facing Nigerians, required contributions from people who had directly witnessed the consequences of violence.
“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 said.
According to the activist, insecurity has become so widespread that even judges and other members of the legal profession are increasingly exposed to kidnapping and other forms of violence.
He argued that the issue could no longer be viewed solely from the perspective of courtroom procedures because the people responsible for administering justice were themselves becoming victims of insecurity.
“This is not a topic of ‘may I, my lord’ because your lords are being kidnapped,” VeryDarkMan told the gathering.
He referred to the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto, whom he said was kidnapped in Kebbi on July 26 and held for approximately one week before being released.
The activist used the incident to illustrate what he described as the seriousness of the security situation facing Nigerians, saying the vulnerability of judges should concern the legal profession because insecurity can directly affect the administration of justice.
VeryDarkMan also criticised the Nigerian media for what he described as inadequate coverage of killings and the aftermath of violent attacks in different parts of the country.
He argued that the public often receives insufficient information about the human consequences of attacks after the initial reports, adding that journalists and media organisations should pay greater attention to the victims and communities affected by violence.
The social media activist said his views on insecurity were shaped by what he described as firsthand experiences at scenes of violence.
He told the lawyers that he had personally visited locations affected by attacks and had witnessed the consequences of violence.
“I was the first respondent at Yelwata. I was also the first respondent when some women were killed some time ago,” he said.
VeryDarkMan recalled witnessing the aftermath of several violent incidents and explosions, including what he described as a Sallah Day bombing in Borno, as well as incidents involving the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and a post office.
He said those experiences had exposed him to the devastating consequences of insecurity, adding that he had seen people seriously injured and killed during violent incidents.
“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive,” he said.
The activist also spoke about the Yelwata attack, describing the incident as a retaliatory assault that followed the killing of a Fulani boy.
VeryDarkMan said the attack was carried out as retaliation and presented his account as part of the experiences that have shaped his understanding of insecurity in the country. His explanation of the circumstances surrounding the Yelwata incident represents his personal account and should not be treated as an independently established finding.
His appearance at the NBA conference has therefore become part of a wider conversation about how insecurity affects different sectors of Nigerian society and whether public discussions about security should include voices from outside traditional professional and institutional circles.
The NBA’s 2026 Annual General Conference is taking place in Port Harcourt from August 21 to 28 and has brought together lawyers, judges, political figures, activists and other stakeholders to discuss issues concerning Nigeria’s legal system, governance, security and national development.
VeryDarkMan maintained that his invitation should be understood within the context of the subject being discussed rather than his professional background.
He argued that his experience documenting and responding to violent incidents gave him a perspective that could complement the legal and institutional perspectives of lawyers attending the conference.
The activist's intervention also comes at a time when insecurity remains one of the major issues dominating national discussions, with concerns over kidnapping, armed attacks and threats against civilians continuing to generate pressure on security agencies and government authorities.
For the legal profession, VeryDarkMan's remarks placed particular emphasis on the vulnerability of judges and the potential consequences of insecurity for the justice system.
If judges, lawyers and other justice-sector personnel are unable to travel or work safely, the impact can extend beyond individual victims to the wider administration of justice.
His comments have consequently added another dimension to discussions at the NBA conference, shifting attention from legal theory to the experiences of people who have witnessed the consequences of violence firsthand.
While his invitation generated criticism before his appearance, VeryDarkMan used the opportunity to defend his participation and explain why he believed his contribution was relevant to the subject under discussion.
The conference is expected to continue with discussions involving legal practitioners and other stakeholders as participants examine some of the major challenges facing Nigeria's justice system, democracy and security architecture.
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