‎Confusion Trails Abuja Protest as VDM Leaves Venue, Supporters Allege Army Interference

‎ A protest in Abuja on Saturday took a dramatic turn after social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), unexpectedly left the demonstration venue, sparking confusion, speculation, and allegations from his supporters.
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Picture of Protester

‎Addressing protesters earlier at Karu Bridge, Abuja, VDM declared that insecurity had become a major concern beyond political leadership, insisting that terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers must be driven out of the country.
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‎”Tinubu will go, he will go, but there will still be terrorists. It is time for us to chase them out of our country. Enough is enough. We are marching and saying bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers must go,” he told the crowd.
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‎Shortly after his address, uncertainty emerged when VDM was no longer seen at the protest ground. Some protesters claimed military personnel informed them that the activist had left and urged them to disperse.
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‎A protester expressed concern over the situation, saying participants would not leave until VDM personally addressed them.
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‎”While protesting, we realized our leader had been taken out of the crowd. The Army told us to go home, saying he had gone home. We are not going anywhere because that has never happened before. He must come and address us himself,” the protester said.
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Picture of Protester

‎Amid growing speculation, another supporter, identified as FlagBoy, dismissed claims that VDM had been arrested. According to him, the activist had officially declared the protest concluded before leaving the venue for a meeting with military officials.
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‎”VDM was not arrested. He announced that the protest was over. The crowd was massive, and the Army later invited him for a meeting, which he attended,” he said.
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‎FlagBoy, however, warned against any attempt to detain the activist, claiming such a move could trigger wider public resistance.
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‎Meanwhile, members of the Ratel Movement, VDM’s support base, alleged that military personnel distributed food and snacks to protesters after the activist departed. The claims have not been independently verified.
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‎Another supporter, identified as Tumma, urged protesters to return home, insisting that the demonstration had officially ended and that VDM had voluntarily left the venue.
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