VDM leads Abuja protest over insecurity, kidnappings

By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

Hundreds of protesters on Thursday took to the streets of Abuja, led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), demanding urgent government action over worsening insecurity, kidnappings, and economic hardship across Nigeria.

The demonstrators marched through parts of the Federal Capital Territory chanting slogans such as “Terrorists Must Go,” “Kidnappers Must Go,” “Bandits Must Go,” and “APC Must Go,” as they accused the government of failing to protect lives and property despite heavy spending on security.

The protest, which followed earlier demonstrations in the week, drew youths, civil society groups, and other supporters, with crowds gathering in areas including Apo while carrying placards expressing frustration over the security situation.

Security operatives were deployed across key locations, including the Presidential Villa, Eagle Square, and other strategic areas, as traffic movement was disrupted in parts of the city.

Addressing the protesters, VDM accused the government of failing to deliver results despite significant budgetary allocations to the security sector.

“We are tired. We can no longer travel freely because bandits are taking over Nigeria,” he said, adding that security funds must be properly utilised to address the crisis.

He also referenced earlier public comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, alleging that authorities were aware of the identities and locations of some criminal groups but had not acted decisively.

“You know their faces and you know their names… go and get them,” he said.

VDM further criticised the recurring abductions of schoolchildren across the country, describing the trend as evidence of weak security responses that have emboldened criminal groups.

He also lamented what he described as poor welfare conditions for security personnel, arguing that many officers are deployed to confront heavily armed criminals while living under difficult conditions.

The protesters later moved toward key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Defence and the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, renewing calls for stronger and more coordinated action against kidnappers, bandits, and terrorist groups.

Throughout the demonstration, participants questioned the gap between rising security expenditures and the continued wave of mass abductions and attacks across the country.

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