“I Was Unfair”: VDM Apologizes to Nigerian Military and Police Over ‘Known Gunmen’ Comments
Popular social critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has officially walked back his controversial statements labeling Nigerian security agencies as the nation’s “known gunmen.”
The activist expressed deep regret over his remarks, which were originally made during a panel discussion at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.
The Controversial NBA Speech
During his session at the lawyers’ conference, VDM shared harrowing encounters with victims of kidnapping and terrorism. He suggested that Nigerian security forces possess deeper intelligence regarding the movements of armed bandits in the forests than they let on.
The heavy accusations quickly triggered a massive public backlash and caught the attention of the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, which promptly issued an official invitation demanding he substantiate his claims.
I Am Disappointed in “Myself”—VDM Retracts
In a sudden turnaround, VDM admitted he crossed the line and expressed disappointment in his own delivery.
“I don’t think I was fair to a lot of people, particularly the speech where I said that the military and the police are the unknown gunmen,” VDM stated.
While maintaining that he possesses evidence regarding certain security lapses, he confessed that his sweeping generalizations did a grave disservice to patriotic officers.
“That speech was not fair, especially to the soldiers who are in the bushes fighting Boko Haram to protect our lands, our lives, and our families,” he added, acknowledging the heavy casualties security forces endure daily.
Exposing Bad Eggs vs. Honoring Heroes
Clarifying his stance on the police, VDM noted that while evidence exists of rogue officers aiding kidnappers, it is entirely unfair to paint the whole institution with the same brush. He highlighted that countless police officers, soldiers, customs, and immigration personnel lose their lives daily in the line of duty.
According to VDM, his decision to issue a public apology stems from a desire to clear his conscience and ensure his words do not demoralize the troops on the front lines. He emphasized that his original intent was solely to spotlight the “bad eggs” within the system rather than discredit the entire armed forces.
