The digital streets of Nigeria were set ablaze once again, but this time not by the online firebrand himself, Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Instead, it was media personality Lucky Udu who sent shockwaves through social media after he reacted to the controversial arrest of the outspoken critic. In a now-viral Instagram video, Lucky Udu not only questioned the circumstances surrounding VDM’s sudden detention but also drew a jaw-dropping comparison between the embattled online activist and none other than Jesus Christ.

According to circulating reports, VeryDarkMan was allegedly apprehended by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) shortly after he accompanied his mother to a GTBank branch to report missing funds from her account. What began as a routine bank visit spiraled into a high-profile arrest that has since ignited a whirlwind of debate, outrage, and deep concern about freedom of speech and the safety of outspoken voices in Nigeria.

In his emotional video, Lucky Udu’s eyes welled up with tears as he recounted what he described as a disturbing sequence of events. He said VDM was reportedly blindfolded and whisked away to an unknown location. Even more troubling, he claimed that VDM’s family and legal representatives had been denied access to him, raising serious questions about due process. Udu emphasized that EFCC’s silence and failure to release an official statement only added to the growing anxiety and suspicion surrounding the case.

“I strongly suspect that VeryDarkMan is being tortured,” Udu stated with urgency and visible sorrow. “This is not the first time such things have happened in Nigeria or elsewhere. When you take someone without informing anyone, blindfold him, deny access to family and lawyers, and keep the public in the dark, what else are people supposed to think?”

But it was his next words that caused a digital earthquake. Udu, struggling to hold back tears, likened VDM’s situation to the biblical crucifixion of Jesus Christ. “Jesus came to help people. He healed the sick, gave confidence to the broken, and yet he was crucified. In his place, a thief and murderer, Barabbas, was released. When I saw VDM’s picture on Tunde Ednut’s page, I remembered Jesus,” he said, his voice quivering.

This comparison drew a tidal wave of mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some praising Udu’s courage and emotional honesty, while others slammed his analogy as exaggerated, offensive, or simply misplaced. Social media platforms were instantly divided. On Instagram, one user, @Chris017_, commented, “Lucky u no lie at all. We all need to enter street to protest but dem fit shoot innocent people again.” Another user, @Gracefully_scribed, fired back: “Jesus did not attack women unprovoked! Using God’s name in vain.”

While Udu did not directly address VDM’s controversial methods—often described as brash, confrontational, and sometimes reckless—his point was that anyone who dares speak truth to power in Nigeria is vulnerable. He implied that VDM’s previous exposures and fierce criticisms of celebrities, politicians, and powerful institutions might have finally attracted forces determined to silence him.

The reactions continued to pour in. Some users noted that Lucky Udu might be inadvertently suggesting to security operatives what methods of torture to use, while others simply thanked him for shining a light on VDM’s plight. “VDM is very strong, but let’s pray God gives him inner strength,” wrote @Amag_properties. Meanwhile, others believed the arrest was a consequence of VDM’s own admission of having an informant within the EFCC. “He said he had an insider. He shouldn’t have said that. That’s probably why they’re questioning him,” noted @Baby_sheldon01.

Even celebrities were not left out of the storm. Nigerian pop star Davido took to his X (formerly Twitter) page to demand VDM’s release, saying the critic has a positive impact on people and deserves freedom. His post was a rallying cry that added even more fuel to the trending hashtag #FreeVDM.

In another surprising turn, controversial musician Portable also weighed in, warning the public and financial institutions not to “kidnap” him like VDM, as he referenced his own experience with a different bank. Meanwhile, Catholic clergy and legal experts have also begun to speak up, with some slamming GTBank’s perceived complicity and the EFCC’s silence.

The arrest of VeryDarkMan has become more than just a legal matter—it has evolved into a symbol of the broader debate about free speech, the limits of activism, and the consequences of challenging Nigeria’s status quo. Lucky Udu’s emotional reaction and striking analogy may have been dramatic, but it undoubtedly captured the deep-rooted fear many Nigerians feel: that speaking up in this country could be a fast track to silence, or worse.

As Nigerians continue to ask, “Where is VeryDarkMan?” and “What is being done to him?”, it is clear that this incident has struck a chord. Whether one agrees with Udu’s comparison or not, one thing is certain—the arrest of VeryDarkMan has opened yet another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with dissent, accountability, and the right to question authority.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement at the time of this report, and social media remains flooded with theories, prayers, and calls for transparency. For now, the fate of VeryDarkMan remains uncertain, but the spotlight on his case is burning brighter than ever.

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