VeryBlackDarkMan denies inciting violence in plateau, gives detailed defence of viral comments

By: Zagazola Makama

Popular social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryBlackDarkMan, has issued a detailed response to allegations that he incited violence during the recent unrest in Plateau, insisting that his remarks were taken out of context and misrepresented.

The controversy followed a viral video in which Otse, reacting to the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, made statements that critics interpreted as a call to violence.

Otse urged residents not to rely on government intervention, saying: “If you keep quiet and wait for the government… it won’t be the first time, it won’t be the second time… when does this stop? You promise us security, but nobody is secure!”

The content creator also appeared to call for a shift from passive reactions to active confrontation, stating: “No be only Boko Haram sabi kill, no be only bandit sabi kill. All of us fit kill… all of us na Killers, until you ready. No ever to say you no get the mind. You fit kill person. You can kill people. And for these people oh my God.

He added: “Please protect yourselves and don’t wait for the government.”

He further called on the “To the people of Rukuba Enough is Enough, Enough is Enough. Anybody wey you see wey cross your part, KILL AM

However, few hour’s after his emotional outbursts violence quickly began to spread in the Northern part of Plateau. The same night, some youths of Rukuba went on rampage and began targeted killings especially in the Muslim communities.

The remarks triggered widespread backlash, with some commentators accusing him of encouraging reprisals and fuelling religious tension.

However, in a follow-up video, Otse strongly refuted the allegations, maintaining that he never called for violence against any religious group. “Where did I ever say Christians should kill Muslims? When? Show me where I said that,” he said, visibly angered by the accusations.

Providing context to his earlier comments, Otse explained that his reaction was shaped by the traumatic experience of witnessing the aftermath of the killings in Jos.

“I was standing in the middle of dead bodies. Pregnant women, fathers, mothers, children… over 20 people lying there. This is not the first time I have seen something like that. What do you expect me to say in that moment?” he said.

According to him, his statements were an emotional outburst driven by frustration over repeated violence and what he described as inadequate response by authorities.

“The government is not doing anything. People are being killed again and again. So what do you want me to say?” he asked.

Otse clarified that his intention was to urge communities to be vigilant and protect themselves, not to attack others.

“I only said people should protect themselves. I said if you see suspicious movement, defend yourself. That is not the same as telling people to kill others,” he said.

He argued that his words were deliberately twisted to create a false narrative portraying him as promoting religious violence.

“This narrative that VeryDarkMan told Christians to kill Muslims is false. Completely false. People are taking my words out of context and trying to push an agenda,” he said.

The influencer also rejected attempts to frame him as biased against Muslims, noting that he has consistently spoken about violence affecting all Nigerians regardless of religion.

“You can’t say it is only Christians that are dying. Muslims are dying too. People are dying everywhere in this country,” he said.

He cited past incidents in the North-East, including attacks in Borno, to support his argument that insecurity cuts across religious and regional lines.

“Where were these people when bombs exploded in Borno? Monday Market, Post Office junction… people died. Did they speak then?” he queried.

Otse said he had personally visited affected areas, including Borno, to raise awareness and support victims, adding that his advocacy has never been selective.

“I have gone to Borno. I have gone to places where disasters happened, even floods. I have used my platform to raise awareness and help people. This is not about religion for me,” he said.

He further criticised what he described as selective outrage by some social media users and commentators.

“Some people are now acting like they care more about Muslims or Christians, but where were they when others were suffering? Show me what you have done,” he said.

Addressing the broader issue, Otse warned against the growing trend of framing security challenges along religious lines, stressing that such narratives are dangerous.

“Say no to religious war. This is not about Christianity or Islam. This is about Nigerians being killed,” he said.

He emphasised that he does not align himself with any religious divide, insisting that his position has always been neutral.

“I am not speaking for Christians or Muslims. I am speaking for people. I don’t care about religion when it comes to human lives,” he added.

Otse also highlighted what he described as a lack of awareness about the scale of violence in northern Nigeria, attributing it partly to limited social media visibility.

“A lot of people don’t even know what is happening in the North. They don’t see it, so they think it is one-sided. But the reality is different,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid generalisations and stereotyping, warning that such tendencies contribute to division and misunderstanding.

The influencer reiterated his call for unity and collective action against insecurity, rather than blame and division.

“We need peace in Jos. We need peace everywhere. People should stop pushing narratives that will divide us further,” he said.

The incident illustrated the powerful role of social media in shaping public discourse during crises, as well as the risks associated with emotionally charged messaging.

While Otse’s initial comments reflected widespread frustration, the backlash point to the need for caution and clarity in public communication, especially in fragile security environments