VDM Apologises To Military,Police Over Controversial ‘Unknown Gunmen’ NBA Speech

​Controversial social critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has publicly retracted his sweeping generalisation labeling security operatives as “unknown gunmen” during the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.

​In a self-reflection video released on Friday, Otse admitted that his remarks were unjust to dedicated security personnel. He noted that his sweeping characterisation unfairly targeted frontline soldiers risking their lives against insurgency, as well as officers of the police, immigration, and customs services.

​“That speech was not fair, especially to the soldiers that are in the bushes fighting Boko Haram to protect our lands, to protect our lives, and to protect our families,” Otse stated. He added that hearing such a description from a public figure could demoralise troops actively serving in dangerous terrain.

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​Directing his remorse toward the military hierarchy, VDM specifically asked the Chief of Defence Staff to relay his apologies to officers on the frontline, while also offering condolences to the families of fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for the nation.

​Despite walking back his blanket statement, the activist maintained that his underlying grievance targeted internal sabotage and corrupt elements within the security architecture. He insisted that certain “bad eggs” leak intelligence and compromise operations, stressing that his commentary was intended to prompt internal purging rather than disparage the entire security apparatus.