A group of Nigerian youths on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja demanding the release of social media personality and political commentator, VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The protest, which took place at the Unity Fountain, attracted scores of young Nigerians waving placards and chanting slogans condemning what they described as “state harassment of free speech.”
VDM was reportedly arrested last week over controversial posts on social issues, some of which allegedly contravened Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
His legal team insists the arrest was politically motivated and a direct attack on dissent and freedom of expression.
The protesters accused authorities of double standards, saying celebrities and influencers aligned with the government are rarely held accountable for inflammatory content. “If speaking out against injustice is a crime, then we are all guilty,” one protester told reporters.
The Nigerian Police has not officially confirmed the charges against VDM but maintains that investigations are ongoing.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for transparency and due process in the case.
