Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), a social critic known for his outspoken online persona, was detained by the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday after honoring a police invitation two days in a row.
His detention follows a recent controversy over his appearance in a video wearing what resembled an official police uniform, which has sparked widespread debate on social media.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the development, revealing that his client complied with the police request to meet on Wednesday and Thursday, only to be detained on his second visit.
“Our client, VDM, has been detained after honoring a police invitation just like yesterday. VDM has been consistent in stating that the Nigerian Police are our friends, even when we all know they are not,” Adeyanju wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The police have yet to comment on the matter, with Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi unavailable for immediate response.
The detention comes on the heels of VDM’s controversial video in which he appeared dressed in what resembled police attire, humorously introducing himself as the “Chief Superintendent of Police of the Online Division.”
The police swiftly condemned the video, asserting that VDM’s use of the uniform violated regulations, prompting them to launch an investigation into its origin.
As criticism mounted, VDM issued a public apology on Thursday, clarifying his intention to entertain rather than mislead.
He also advised Nigerians against wearing police attire without proper authorization to avoid legal complications.
This incident has raised questions on freedom of expression and the extent to which humor and satire are permissible in public discourse.
While some supporters argue VDM’s skits are harmless and serve to highlight issues within the force, others believe his approach crossed a line by using official attire, raising concerns over the portrayal and respect of law enforcement institutions.