Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman (VDM) and President of the Ratel Movement, has broken down in an emotional video update regarding the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State. The activist, who appeared close to tears, disclosed that the victims have now spent 49 days in captivity, drawing painful parallels to the Chibok schoolgirls abduction.
Ransom Paid but Victims Not Released
In the video posted on his Instagram page, VDM claimed that despite a ransom being paid to the kidnappers, the children and teachers have not been freed. This claim, however, has not been independently verified. The activist lamented that many Nigerians seem to have moved on from the incident, contrasting the public's apathy with a recent video of the President joking with the First Lady.
VDM stated: "The kidnappers collected the money and still refused to release them. Today makes it 49 days. Nigerians have moved on. We don't know how they are faring, whether they are alive or whether they have been moved to another country."
Background of the Abduction
Several weeks ago, a group of schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted from their school in Oyo State. One of the teachers was later killed, and the kidnappers released a video while continuing to make demands for the remaining captives. Following the incident, VDM staged a protest in Oyo State and was received by Governor Seyi Makinde, who assured him that his administration was actively working to secure the victims' release.
VDM Recalls Chibok Schoolgirls' Abduction
Reflecting on the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction, VDM expressed fear that the Oyo case might follow a similar tragic path. He noted that many Chibok girls remained in captivity for years, with some returning only after a long period, while others never came back. He added that some of the girls were reportedly forced into marriages with their captors, and the prolonged ordeal took a devastating toll on many families.
Direct Appeal to Governor Makinde
Addressing Governor Seyi Makinde directly, VDM urged the state government to intensify rescue efforts and involve relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS). He said: "Even now, we don't know if they are still alive. Governor Seyi Makinde assured us they would return, but it is time to act. You need to work with the DSS and rescue the children. There may be collateral damage, but we have kept quiet for too long. Seyi, move into the bush and rescue them."
The activist emphasized that no one knows the current condition of the victims or whether they have been moved to another location. His emotional plea comes as the 49-day mark highlights the prolonged nature of the captivity, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
