VeryDarkMan: Politics, Government, Security Agencies Are Root Cause of Insecurity

Controversial social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has accused the government and security agencies of benefiting from Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity, alleging that politics is at the root of the country’s security challenges.

VeryDarkMan made the allegation while speaking at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) in Rivers State on Tuesday.

“The root cause of insecurity is politics and the people who benefit from it. The government benefits, the police benefit, and the military benefits. Since this insecurity started, generals have been getting higher pay. The people are the sacrificial lambs; they don’t benefit,” he said.

He also alleged that the security crisis had created benefits for some officials while ordinary Nigerians continued to bear the consequences of attacks and insecurity.

VeryDarkMan further questioned the movement of large numbers of cattle across Nigerian roads, alleging that cattle ownership was being used as a channel for money laundering.

“If you notice, you go around Nigeria, and you see cows passing on our roads, you’ll be wondering why so many cows. You know why? It is money laundering; it is the government,” he alleged.

Addressing the role of the Fulani in Nigeria’s security situation, VeryDarkMan said the group was important to the country’s security architecture because of its knowledge of rural terrain and communication networks.

“The Fulani are very important in the security of this country. They have a good communication system; they know the bushes more than other ethnic groups. They are not majorly bad, but the elites usually take advantage of them,” he said.

Verydarkman also defended his presence at the NBA conference amid questions over why he was invited to the gathering of lawyers.

“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to the 2026 NBA AGC. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share an experience. I’m sure those people debating didn’t actually see the topic,” he said.

He called for improved welfare for members of the security agencies, arguing that poor remuneration and inadequate support could expose security personnel to corruption and criminal influence.

He also called for easier access to licensed firearms for citizens who wish to protect themselves, arguing that security agencies do not have sufficient personnel to protect every Nigerian.

“We can’t do without security agencies. However, they need to make provision for citizens to protect themselves, make it easy for us to get guns. They can’t really protect everybody; they have fewer numbers, and yet the government don’t really take care of them,” he said.

He further warned that poorly treated security personnel could provide information to criminal elements.

“The government should start taking care of them properly. If not, they will keep turning against us,” he added.

However, a military representative at the conference challenged VeryDarkMan over his broad allegations against the military, warning that serious claims should be supported with evidence.

“If VeryDarkMan can sit down here to say all military are corrupt, it’s as good as saying all lawyers are corrupt too. He can’t just be making substantial claims that he cannot back with evidence,” the representative said.

In response, VeryDarkMan apologised to the Nigerian military, saying he may have generalised his earlier comments.

“I would like to apologise to the Nigerian military. Maybe I generalised everything. You know what I was trying to say; you took it out of context,” he said.

The NBA subsequently presented VeryDarkMan with a special award at its 2026 Annual General Conference in Rivers State.