A Nigerian woman has stepped forward to publicly defend the detained activist Harrison Gwamnishu by releasing their private WhatsApp conversations. This comes after Gwamnishu was taken into police custody in Edo State over allegations linked to a kidnapping case.
WhatsApp Chats Reveal Official Meetings Before Arrest
The woman, identified as Gwen Chiamaka Ifeson, shared screenshots of her chats with Harrison on Facebook. She stated that people were not presenting the full facts of the situation.
In the messages, Harrison Gwamnishu mentioned that the Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor had invited him. According to Gwen, on Monday, December 1, the activist held meetings with some government officials and the Commissioner of Police concerning the persistent security issues in the state.
She revealed that on Thursday, December 4, Harrison traveled to Edo specifically to see the Commissioner of Police. It was during this visit that he was detained in connection with the Auchi kidnapping case. Gwen clarified that he has not been charged in court or sent to prison, contrary to some online reports.
Defending Against Ransom Theft Allegations
Gwen strongly defended Harrison against the core accusation from a family, who claimed he stole part of a ransom meant for kidnappers to secure the release of a pregnant woman.
She faulted the family's decision to publicly accuse him online, arguing they should have waited until their relative was safely freed. Gwen explained that the money in question was intended as a counter-measure for tracking, not as ransom payment. She emphasized that Harrison is not a negotiator or a ransom dealer, and he was not the person who physically took the money to the kidnappers' den.
"The tracking mechanism has been scattered online and I’m super worried about the young man in the den," she wrote, expressing concern for the victim still held captive. She added that the said money was returned to the police in Auchi on the same day, which was why Harrison was shocked by the family's viral videos.
Addressing the Feud with VeryDarkMan
Gwen also touched on the ongoing public dispute between Harrison Gwamnishu and the internet personality known as VeryDarkMan (Martins Vincent Otse). She stated that in all her conversations with Harrison, he never spoke ill of VeryDarkMan or expressed envy towards him.
She suggested that any criticism from Harrison might be based on VeryDarkMan's past actions, which are a matter of public record online. "Harrison records and foot prints here can crucify him till Jesus comes because internet will never forget," she noted, acknowledging that both men have past controversies.
The Facebook post sparked significant reactions online, with many users taking sides. Some commentators, like Lucky Isioma, criticized VeryDarkMan for focusing on Harrison instead of helping to solve kidnapping issues in Edo. Others, like Paul Chukwualuka, expressed surprise at the intensity of VeryDarkMan's campaigns against Gwamnishu.
This development follows reports that a lawyer has also come to Harrison's defense, questioning the 14-day remand order and criticizing VeryDarkMan for admitting he engineered the arrest. The case continues to be a major talking point across Nigerian social media platforms.
