Protesters Storm GTBank Abuja Branch Over EFCC Arrest of Social Media Influencer VeryDarkMan

There was a riot in Abuja today as followers of popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known by the nickname VeryDarkMan, stormed a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch demanding his release.

VeryDarkMan was apprehended by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) agents after he had visited the bank with his mother to settle alleged unauthorized withdrawals from her account. chanting “#FreeVDM,” brandished placards with such inscriptions as “Activism is not a crime” and “VDM has committed no offense” while they protested the arrest.

Eyewitness accounts have reported that VeryDarkMan was arrested outside the bank building, and there has been speculation over the terms of his arrest. While GTBank has denied any role in the arrest, releasing CCTV footage to support its denial, critics have argued that the bank may have tipped off the authorities.