The Take It Back Movement has issued a strong demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, May 2, 2025.
According to the group, Otse was apprehended shortly after leaving a GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, where he had gone with his mother and a colleague to resolve issues related to unauthorized withdrawals from his mother’s bank account.
Widely shared CCTV footage of the incident has triggered public outrage, with many viewing the arrest as a deliberate attempt to suppress a prominent critic of government misconduct and corruption.
In a statement signed by Lagos State Coordinator Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek (Scotty Aluta), the Take It Back Movement described the arrest as both unlawful and calculated. The group also accused the EFCC and GTBank of complicity, labeling the situation a misuse of authority.
Disturbingly, Otse’s mother, who was present at the time of the arrest, has not been seen since, and her current location remains unknown.
The movement highlighted that this is not the first time Otse has faced repercussions for speaking out against injustice and corruption in Nigeria.
Part of the official statement reads:
“The Take It Back Movement strongly denounces the unjust arrest and ongoing detention of activist and social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, by EFCC agents. He was detained shortly after visiting GTBank with his mother and an associate to question irregular withdrawals from his mother’s account. The arrest, caught on CCTV and now circulating online, appears to be a prearranged act of intimidation by state forces.”
The statement continued:
“More concerning is the unexplained disappearance of Mr. Otse’s mother following the incident. Her unknown whereabouts raise grave concerns about the conduct of the authorities involved.”
The movement called for several actions, including:
The immediate and unconditional release of Otse
Disclosure of his mother’s location and assurance of her safety
A public explanation from both EFCC and GTBank regarding the arrest
An end to the increasing trend of using state power to intimidate and silence activists
“The Take It Back Movement stands in solidarity with VeryDarkMan and all who speak out against injustice. We urge the Nigerian public, civil society, and international bodies to join us in demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights,” the statement concluded.
