Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has apologised to security agencies and the families of fallen personnel over controversial comments he made at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Otse issued the apology in a video shared on Friday, saying he had reflected on his remarks and realised that his criticism appeared to generalise security personnel, including those risking their lives to protect Nigerians.
At the NBA conference, the activist had described military, police, immigration and customs personnel as “unknown gunmen” while discussing insecurity and alleged misconduct within security agencies.
Explaining his position, Otse said his intention was to draw attention to alleged corruption and sabotage by some personnel rather than accuse the entire security system.
“I don’t think I was fair to a lot of people, particularly the speech where I said that the military are the unknown gunmen, the police are the unknown gunmen, you know, the immigration, the customs.
“I know exactly what I was trying to say because, I mean, I have evidence to back up my claim, but I wasn’t fair to a lot of people in that speech,” he said.
He said he was especially concerned about soldiers deployed against Boko Haram and other threats, acknowledging the sacrifices made by personnel operating in dangerous environments.
“That speech was not fair, especially to the soldiers that are in the bushes fighting Boko Haram to protect our lands, to protect our lives, and to protect our families.
“I don’t think it’s fair to say they are also the unknown gunmen, to be very honest, because these people have laid down their lives,” he said.
Otse subsequently apologised to the Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers, police, customs and immigration personnel, as well as relatives of security officers who died in service.
“So I will go further to say to the Chief of Defence Staff, Sir, I really want to apologise for that speech, and I don’t want to discourage your boys.
“Please extend my apologies to your boys, to the ones that are in the bush protecting our lands,” he said.
He also apologised to families of fallen personnel, saying he understood how his comments could have affected people whose relatives had died serving the country.
“To the families of these heroes that might have also felt offended by this speech, knowing fully well that their brother, their sister, their son, their husband fought and died for this country, I am really, really sorry,” he said.
While maintaining his allegations against some security personnel, Otse stressed that many others were committed to protecting the country.
“Yes, a lot of bad eggs there, like I said, a lot of bad eggs, a lot of them are there.
“A lot of corrupt generals, a lot of high-ranking police officers are corrupt, a lot of junior officers are corrupt, a lot of them are there. But there’s still a lot of more good people, a lot of more good people, and I know a lot of them,” he said.
He said he feared his remarks could demoralise a soldier who was risking his life in the bush and encountered the video.
“Imagine a soldier fighting in the bush and he watches VDM’s video, and he’s like, ‘Ah, VDM is one of us now, unknown gunman.’ That would discourage him, to be honest,” he said.
Otse urged security personnel carrying out their duties to remain encouraged, while warning those he accused of sabotage, arms supply and leaking information to terrorists that he would continue to speak against such conduct.
“And please don’t be discouraged, please, please, don’t be discouraged.
“We’re there behind you now, and we’ll always support you. You know, and we are part of this thing, security is for all of us,” he said.
The apology follows criticism surrounding Otse’s appearance and remarks at the NBA conference, including comments by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, who argued that experienced speakers should handle specialised discussions at the event.
Otse also previously faced criticism over allegations that some police officers at checkpoints provide information about wealthy travellers to kidnappers. Police challenged him to substantiate the allegation, while he said he was prepared to present his evidence in court.
Concluding his latest video, Otse called on Nigerians to support security personnel serving the country.
“And to the patriots, to the heroes, to our fallen heroes that have died to protect this country… I am really, really sorry.
“Keep on fighting for our beloved country, God bless all of you. We Nigerians are with you,” he said.
