By Charles Emmanuel
Social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has reportedly been detained by the Nigerian Police following a recent viral video in which he donned a police uniform. VeryDarkMan, whose comedic and often controversial content has drawn significant attention online, honored a police invitation on October 30, only to be subsequently detained, as confirmed by his lawyer, Comrade Deji Adeyanju.
The decision to detain VeryDarkMan has attracted public attention, with many asking about the exact reasons for his arrest and the implications it may have for content creators and freedom of expression in Nigeria. Adeyanju, who spoke publicly about the case, refrained from detailing the specific allegations behind his client’s detention but confirmed that Otse was indeed held after responding to the police’s request.
“Our client, VDM, has been detained after honouring police invitation just like yesterday. VDM who has been consistent in saying the Nigerian Police are our friends even when we all know they are not,” stated Adeyanju, hinting at the strained relations between public influencers and the police establishment. Despite the silence surrounding the precise charges, the arrest has drawn significant public attention, particularly around the implications for other influencers who frequently touch on socially sensitive or politically charged topics in their content.
Police Responds to VeryDarkMan’s Use of Uniform
The Nigerian Police Force reportedly responded to the incident, particularly highlighting VeryDarkMan’s unauthorized use of the police uniform. The uniform, an official symbol of authority, was used in a skit by VeryDarkMan, who jokingly referred to himself as the “Chief Superintendent of Police of the Online Division.”
This statement, delivered in a light-hearted manner, was perceived by some within the force as diminishing the professional image of the police. A police statement addressing the incident made it clear that “wearing the uniform without authorization is a serious offence and undermines the professionalism of law enforcement.”
Concerns were also raised over the source of the attire, which the police have stated could pose a potential risk to security. To address these concerns, the Nigerian Police announced an investigation to identify how VeryDarkMan accessed the uniform. The police, as part of their ongoing public safety initiative, emphasized the importance of safeguarding symbols of authority, urging the public to report any future cases of similar misuse of police attire.
Adeyanju has indicated that legal proceedings may be pursued should the police fail to provide concrete evidence justifying Otse’s detention. In a press release, Adeyanju pointed out that the influencer had cooperated fully with the police by voluntarily honoring their invitation. Supporters of VeryDarkMan online have expressed dismay at what they interpret as an exaggerated response to a comedic performance
While no official charges have been disclosed, the Nigerian Police Force maintains that investigations are ongoing as they seek information about VeryDarkMan’s access to the uniform. They have highlighted the importance of upholding professional standards and preventing the misuse of police symbols by unauthorized persons. According to police sources, allowing such representations without consequence could weaken public trust in law enforcement.
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