Kaduna-based public affairs analyst and social commentator, Yusuf Ishaku Goje, has urged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to wade into the controversy surrounding the arrest of social media personality Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), warning that the situation could spiral into a broader national security crisis if mishandled.
In a widely circulated statement on Tuesday, Goje criticized the reported tactics of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing them as poorly timed and insensitive to the country’s current volatile socio-political climate.
“A better reading of the mood of the nation—marked by economic hardship, eroding public trust in government, and the buildup to the 2027 elections—should have informed a more strategic approach,” Goje said.
He cautioned that VDM’s wide influence among Nigeria’s youth could become a flashpoint for unrest, reminiscent of the #EndSARS protests.
“If the VDM issue is not managed well, we run the risk of a bigger, combined version of the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance uprising,” he warned.
Goje also criticized the rumored “Gestapo-style” tactics allegedly employed during the arrest, arguing that such actions risk inflaming public sentiment and casting the government as repressive.
“A simple invitation, due process, and transparency would have been enough. Instead, the reported heavy-handedness has only boosted sympathy for VDM,” he noted. “Even those who previously dismissed him are now rallying behind him.”
He stressed that the issue extends beyond the personality of VDM and represents a boiling point for many disillusioned Nigerians.
“This is bigger than one individual. VDM could become an outlet for the frustration of millions of aggrieved youths, a situation ripe for exploitation by conflict entrepreneurs and political opportunists,” Goje said.
He urged the NSA to proactively advise relevant agencies on managing sensitive issues with far-reaching implications, adding, “Things are already hard enough—we must not make them worse.”
Goje concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue engaging government through peaceful and constructive channels.
“Let’s ask the right questions, stay involved, and hold leaders accountable,” he said.
