A man has recounted the tense moment when social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), confronted suspected thugs during a protest in Oyo State over the abduction of pupils and a teacher from Oriire.
Peaceful Protest Turns Chaotic
According to the eyewitness, the demonstration began peacefully as marchers headed to the Oyo State Government House to demand urgent action from Governor Seyi Makinde for the rescue of the kidnapped victims. Recounting the incident, he said: “I witnessed what I’ve never witnessed in my life. What I saw today, I will tell my children and grandchildren. We joined the protest, and everything was peaceful. We went to the governor’s house, and the governor spoke to us.”
Thugs Armed with Cutlasses and Guns
Panic broke out when protesters noticed armed men approaching. “People started shouting, ‘They are coming with cutlasses!’ People started running, and I ran too. But the craziest part was that VDM did not run. He faced them and charged back at them. When protesters saw VDM and Kokopee charging back, they also turned back, and the thugs fled the scene,” he added.
The eyewitness described the confrontation as unforgettable: “Thugs with guns sent to stop a protest meant to speak up for children and teachers in kidnappers’ den. This protest made me realise that Nigeria can never ever get better and be good again. What I witnessed at the Oyo State protest with VeryDarkMan, I will tell my children and my grandchildren. How VDM confronted thugs sent with machetes and guns was like a full Indian movie.”
VDM’s Own Account
Legit.ng earlier reported that VeryDarkMan stirred reactions after sharing a video of his encounter with alleged armed thugs in Ibadan on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. A series of videos surfaced on social media showing VDM leading supporters from the Ratel Movement in a protest demanding government action against rising kidnapping, banditry, and insecurity in Oyo state. In a caption, the critic claimed the thugs were armed with bottles and stones: “To the people that sent the thugs.. ASK THEM HOW FA. THEY SHOT AT US, THEY THREW BOTTLES AND STONES, we ran towards them.”
Governor Makinde’s Pledge
In related news, VeryDarkMan met with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who vowed to make a supreme sacrifice to ensure the release of the 46 abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area. “If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it. I have lived a good life; I’m almost 60, and it doesn’t matter. Our children will never be in the same situation as the Chibok children,” he said.
Netizens React
Social media users shared mixed reactions to VDM’s encounter. @AmgDeedat said: “That’s the problem of having cult and thugs in the society. People that don’t have anything and can’t fend for themselves. They rely heavily on sponsors and money from the politicians. We will definitely see more of this come forth.” @nosinglefuck commented: “You did like a passerby; you would be shocked that these thugs will attack random people just to show that they can cause damage, and you passer by is the most vulnerable. So it is even better to join the protesters with your full chest.” @naija_saint alleged: “Those are APC thugs, Tinubu ground/street soldiers. He has cultivated them since 1999 when he introduced Agbero to the forefront of Lagos roads.. He replicated same across SW states.” @ChiefPappy007 stated: “I suspect that NANS president, that guy works for APC, but they like it or not. We’ll conquer them; we say enough is enough. We say make country good; the same government is sending thugs to disturb the protest, and they think if someone died there the protest won't escalate? While I am still alive, my children and I will experience a better Nigeria and it won't be long.”
Arrest Rumours Debunked
Legit.ng also reported that VeryDarkMan became the subject of speculations on Friday, June 12, 2026, after unverified claims circulated on social media that he had been arrested. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, debunked the rumour as false.
