By Sandra Kenneth
Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has pushed back against critics questioning his invitation to speak at the ongoing 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking on Tuesday as a panellist during a session focused on insecurity and the experiences of victims of violence, Otse clarified that his role was not to lecture legal practitioners on jurisprudence, but to offer insights from his firsthand encounters with violent conflict.
“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience,” he stated.
Addressing backlash surrounding his appearance at the event, which runs from August 21 to 28, Otse argued that critics overlooked the premise of his session, titled “Unknown Known Gunmen.” He emphasized that growing national insecurity directly impacts the legal sector, pointing to the rising threats faced by judicial officers.
“This is not a topic of ‘may I, my lord’ because your lords are being kidnapped,” Otse remarked, referencing the July 26 abduction of a judge traveling from Sokoto who was held captive in Kebbi State for a week before regaining freedom.
The activist also criticized mainstream media coverage of violent incidents across the country, accusing news outlets of failing to thoroughly document the human toll of attacks.
Drawing on his personal accounts, Otse cited his presence as a first responder following violent clashes in Yelwata—which he described as a retaliatory attack after the death of a Fulani boy—alongside witnessing the aftermath of bombings in Borno State.
“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive,” Otse told the audience, maintaining that his participation provided an essential, ground-level perspective on security challenges beyond courtroom formalities.
