Edge Rewrite
everything Source code View original
// HTMLRewriter · presentation

This page was redesigned at the edge.

Cloudflare fetched the original article and streamed it through HTMLRewriter to apply an entirely new visual system without rebuilding the source page.

// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a415c2b10aa0a53e

Jump to content

VeryDarkMan

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

VeryDarkMan
Born
Martins Vincent Otse[1]

(1994-04-08) 8 April 1994 (age 32)
Abuja, Nigeria
Other names
  • VDM
  • Verydarkblackman
  • VeryBlackman
  • The Ratel
Occupations
Years active2022–present
Movement
Instagram information
Page
Followers3.1M (April 2026)
TikTok information
Page
Followers452.5K (March 2026)
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers390K (March 2026)
WebsiteMVOI Official Website

Martins Vincent Otse[2] ⓘ (born 8 April 1994),[3] popularly known as VeryDarkMan, is a Nigerian social media influencer, human right and political activist, philanthropist, and self-described "online police" who is a prominent figure in Nigerian civil and political rights.[4]

He is a controversial figure notable for his condemnation and advocacy against the injustice, corruption, crime, and insecurity in Nigeria.[5] He grew up in Abuja, Nigeria.[6]

Early life

[edit]

Martins Vincent Otse was born on 8 April 1994 in Abuja, Nigeria.[7] Although born in Abuja, he is originally from Agenebode, Edo State, in southern Nigeria. He spent his formative years in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.[8]

Career and public recognition

[edit]

VeryDarkMan's social media activism career commenced in 2022.[9] Initially, he gained attention through his interactions with Nigerian celebrities, which led to an increase in his online following. Subsequently, he began posting a series of videos that sparked controversy. By early 2023, his content had gone viral, further amplifying the controversy surrounding his online presence.[10]

In January 2024, Otse was nominated for the Silverbird's Most Influential Social Media Influencer of the Year award.[11][12]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Martins Vincent Otse Initiative

[edit]

In October 2024, Otse founded the Martins Vincent Otse Initiative (MVOI), a non-governmental organisation headquartered in Abuja focused on public education reform, community development, and financial transparency within the non-profit sector.[13] The organisation raised over ₦33 million from small-scale donors within its first 24 hours of launch.[13] A subsequent ₦100 million donation from music executive Don Jazzy drew national attention to the initiative and sparked wider discussion about celebrity philanthropy in Nigerian social development.[14]

The MVOI operates a public financial tracking system, publishing real-time bank statements and donation logs on its official website as a measure to build trust in the Nigerian non-profit sector.[15] In January 2025, legal experts raised concerns that the publication of unredacted donor information could potentially conflict with Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) guidelines.[16]

Among the initiative's stated goals is the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as teaching assistants in underserved communities to address teacher shortages in public schools.[17] In July 2025, the MVOI funded the installation of boreholes in the Dibilli community in the Karaga District, Ghana. To address local water scarcity.[18]

In April 2025, Otse donated ₦20 million through the MVOI to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to fund the repatriation and rehabilitation of underage Nigerian girls trafficked to Ivory Coast.[19] Following the donation, 70 trafficked girls were subsequently repatriated to Nigeria, with Air Peace providing flights for the rescue operation at no cost.[20]

In December 2024, Otse claimed that ₦180 million had been stolen from the NGO's accounts through a hacking incident, before later stating that the claim was a deliberate experiment designed to test the speed of misinformation spread within Nigerian digital media.[21][22]

Ratel Movement

[edit]

Otse founded the Ratel Movement, a civic movement whose members he describes as the "fourth arm of government" in Nigeria, symbolised by a honey badger(another name for the animal called ratel).[23] The movement is an informal group of followers organised around grassroots civic action, with Otse describing its purpose as moving beyond social media advocacy toward direct community impact.[24]

From November 29 2025, the Ratel Movement began conducting monthly community service projects across Nigeria on the last Saturday of each month, covering activities such as cleaning public spaces, clearing drainages, and rehabilitating school facilities across all 36 states.[24] Otse has stated that the movement is strictly non-political.[24] In late 2025, he opened a dedicated Ratel office in Abuja, equipped with a reception area, studio, conference room, and a customer care desk where members of the public can lodge complaints or requests for community infrastructure.[25]

Controversies

[edit]

Otse was arrested in March 2024 on allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking, including false accusations against Nigerian actresses and officials.[26] He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in police custody until his hearing on May 29, 2024. After two weeks in detention, he was released.[27] In June 2024, he was arrested again at his Abuja residence on defamation charges related to a social media expose.[28] Otse was questioned by police on June 30, 2024, regarding defamation allegations and released shortly after. No arrest was made, contrary to initial reports.[29]

On September 26, 2024, Falana & Falana Chambers issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Otse via a letter, demanding an immediate retraction and apology for allegedly defamatory statements against Femi Falana, made in his September 25, 2024 Instagram post.[30]

On May 2, 2025, he was arrested on allegations not made known to the public, shortly after he visited Guarantee Trust Bank branch in Abuja, where he complained about alleged unauthorized deduction of funds from his mother's account.[31][32] This arrest was carried out by masked men whose identities were later revealed as EFCC operatives.[33] After five days in detention, he was released on administrative bail on 7 May, 2025.[34]

Otse was accused of inciting Onista bridge head drug traders to defy regulatory order in a statement released by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control's Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on May 26th, 2025.[35] This was shortly after Otse visited the Ogbo Ogwu market and called out the DG of NAFDAC to stop the extortion as it was allegedly said by the traders that they have to pay a certain amount of money before they can embark on their business.[36]

On 16th June, 2025, following the Yelewata massacre in Benue State.[37][38] Otse was engaged in a peaceful protest alongside the youth of the community demanding for immediate intervention of the Nigeria government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Benue State government.[39] as the protesters cover the Wurukum food market round-about Makurdi.

A week later, he led another protest with primary school pupils in Abuja over nine-week primary school teachers' strike for the failure of area council chairpersons to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000.[40]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "10 things to know about fast-rising social media police VeryDarkMan". Legit.ng. 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  2. ↑ Benjamin Njoku (28 September 2024). "VeryDarkMan: A pain to many". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Kareem, Azeez (22 May 2024). "Social Media Critic Verydarkman Faces Cyberbullying Charges". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  4. ↑ Deborah Bodunde (28 September 2024). "MAN IN THE NEWS: Who can tame the controversial activist VeryDarkMan?". TheCable. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Sahara (30 June 2024). "VeryDarkMan Arrested For Exposing Alleged Fraudster, Born in the Trap". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  6. ↑ Ankrah, Shalom (2 October 2023). "VeryDarkMan: 6 Facts About him and Quick Rise to Fame". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Biography of Martins Vincent Otse". People. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "VeryDarkMan(VDM): Nigeria's Digital Vigilante and the Power of One Voice". Biopreneur. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  9. ↑ Ayomikunle Daramola (5 May 2025). "'Oppression of young voices' — Obi condemns 'abduction' of VeryDarkMan". TheCable. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Taiwo, Owolawi (22 October 2023). "VeryDarkBlackMan Who Went from Being Dragged to Becoming Celebrity". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "Influencer of The Year – Silverbird Man of The Year". Silverbird. 4 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Ogugua, Ifezulike (12 January 2024). "Smoty: Tunde Ednut, Don Jazzy, Very Dark Black man, Others Nominated For Silverbird Most Influential Influencer". Rhythm. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  13. 1 2 Fasan, Yewande (14 October 2024). "VeryDarkMan launches NGO, raises N33m in 24 hours". The Nation. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  14. ↑ Omosola, Friday (18 October 2024). "Nigeria: Why I Donated N100m to VeryDarkMan's NGO – Don Jazzy". Premium Times via allAfrica. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Balarabe, Usman Bello (21 January 2026). "VDM NGO: VeryDarkMan Makes MVOI Financials Open To Public". Charity Journal. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  16. ↑ Ibeji, Amaka (4 January 2025). "VeryDarkMan: Experts caution NGO against disclosure of donors details". Vanguard News. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  17. ↑ Itodo Abu, Victor (14 October 2024). "VeryDarkMan Launches NGO to Revamp Public Education, Seeks Support". National Record. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  18. ↑ "VeryDarkMan funds borehole projects in Ghana, video divides Nigerians". Legit.ng. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "Poly students hail VeryDarkMan for N20m donation to fight child trafficking". The Punch. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  20. ↑ "70 Trafficked Girls Return to Nigeria After VDM's ₦20m Donation". Legit.ng. 11 May 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  21. ↑ Joseph, Chukwu (27 December 2024). "VeryDarkMan claims NGO account hacked, N180 million stolen". The Telegraph Nigeria. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Nosakhale, Akhimien (31 December 2024). "Missing ₦180 million NGO funds was prank – VeryDarkMan". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  23. ↑ "VDM Unveils 'Ratel Movement' Logo, Receives Praise from Fans and Celebs". TV360 Nigeria. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 "VeryDarkMan Unveils Nationwide Monthly Sanitation". Leadership. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  25. ↑ "VDM Opens Ratel Office, Calls It 4th Arm of Government". Legit.ng. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  26. ↑ Sulaimon, Adekunle (22 May 2024). "Verydarkman remanded in police custody for cyberbullying". The Punch. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  27. ↑ Sulaimon, Adekunle (10 June 2024). "VeryDarkMan regains freedom after two weeks detention". The Punch. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  28. ↑ Johnson, Hannah (30 June 2024). "Police arrest VeryDarkMan over defamation allegations". The Punch. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  29. ↑ "BREAKING: Nigerian Blogger VeryDarkMan Released Hours After Police Arrest For Exposing Alleged Fraudster | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "BREAKING: Femi Falana Gives VeryDarkMan 24 Hours To Issue Public Apology Over 'Wicked, Offensive, Derogatory' Bribery Allegations Involving Bob risky | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  31. ↑ efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com (2 May 2025). "Updated: VeryDarkMan arrested by police". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  32. ↑ "Social media activist VeryDarkMan arrested by police in Abuja bank | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  33. ↑ Audu, Umar (5 May 2025). "Why we arrested Very Dark Man – EFCC". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  34. ↑ "VeryDarkMan Freed After EFCC Arrest Sparks Nationwide Outcry". Phisk. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  35. ↑ Chioma, Unini (26 May 2025). "NAFDAC Accuses Very Dark Man Of Inciting Onitsha Drug Traders To Defy Regulatory Orders". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  36. ↑ Okere, Alexander (27 May 2025). "Onitsha Drug Market: NAFDAC Counters Obi, VDM, Says ₦700,000 Charges Lawful". Channels Television. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  37. ↑ "Urgent steps needed to avert humanitarian catastrophe in Benue, Nigeria". Amnesty International. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  38. ↑ "More than 218 killed in latest spate of deadly attacks in Nigeria". Open Doors UK & Ireland. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  39. ↑ Okere, Alexander (15 June 2025). "VeryDarkMan, Angry Youths Protest, Demand End To Killings In Benue". Channels Television. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  40. ↑ Omosola, Friday (23 June 2025). "Activist leads protest in Abuja over nine-week primary school teachers' strike". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
[edit]

VeryDarkMan on X

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=VeryDarkMan&oldid=1376657304"