VERYDARKMAN RAISES ALARM OVER INSECURITY, JUDICIAL ATTACKS AT NBA CONFERENCE

Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has used his appearance at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt to draw attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and concerns surrounding attacks on members of the judiciary.

Speaking as a panellist at the conference on Tuesday, VeryDarkMan explained that his invitation was not intended to make him lecture lawyers on legal matters. Instead, he said his experience reporting and speaking about insecurity gave him a perspective that could contribute to discussions at the gathering.

He specifically raised concerns about the safety of judges and other legal professionals, recalling the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto State who was kidnapped in Kebbi on July 26 and released about a week later. He questioned how members of the legal profession could effectively carry out their responsibilities when they themselves face security threats.

VeryDarkMan also criticised the media for what he described as inadequate coverage of killings and other violent attacks across the country. He said his personal experiences at scenes of violence, including the June 2025 attack on Yelwata in Benue State, had exposed him to the severity of insecurity affecting communities.

On the Yelwata incident, he alleged that the attack was carried out as retaliation following the killing of a Fulani boy. His comments came against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings over the attack, with a police intelligence officer having earlier testified in court that some Fulani chiefs allegedly sponsored more than 200 armed men in connection with the violence.

The appearance at the NBA conference has therefore placed renewed attention on the security challenges facing Nigerians, particularly threats to judges, lawyers and other professionals. VeryDarkMan urged greater public attention to insecurity and called for stronger efforts to address the violence and protect citizens and institutions.