Peter Obi Slams VDM’s Arrest, Says It Looks Like Abduction

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed outrage over the arrest of popular social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan (VDM). In a statement shared on his official X handle on May 4, 2025, Obi strongly criticized the manner in which security operatives carried out the arrest, saying it bore more resemblance to a kidnapping than a lawful detention.

He decried the use of force and lack of transparency during the incident, warning that such aggressive tactics could be misused by criminals to imitate arrests, putting the public at even greater risk. According to Obi, “the aggressive display of force, lacking transparency and civility, has unsettled many Nigerians,” and such acts only blur the distinction between proper law enforcement and criminal activity.

As a consistent advocate for democracy and justice, Obi also linked the arrest to a troubling trend in Nigeria’s declining respect for the rule of law. He recalled past abuses against judges and warned that incidents like this chip away at public trust in the legal system.

Obi also addressed false claims tying the arrest to GTBank, saying that CCTV footage had disproven any involvement by the bank. He cautioned that spreading misinformation like this damages the reputations of institutions and harms the broader economy.

He didn’t stop there. Obi questioned reports that the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had been coerced into supporting the arrest, describing it as part of a larger effort to silence Nigerian youth. The entire situation, he suggested, reflects a troubling pattern of repression.

Peter Obi’s reaction has amplified public debate around the incident, drawing attention to concerns over abuse of power and youth suppression in the country.