By Jide Afolabi
A massive crowd of supporters converged on the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Monday night to welcome popular social activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following his return from China.
The large turnout, comprising hundreds of supporters identified with the “Ratel Movement,” resulted in traffic congestion along the airport road and adjoining districts, temporarily disrupting the free flow of vehicular movement in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Videos circulating online revealed supporters gathered at the airport several hours before the activist’s arrival, with many chanting solidarity songs, waving the Nigerian flag, and expressing admiration for what they described as VeryDarkMan’s unwavering commitment to social justice and public advocacy.
Upon his arrival, the atmosphere at the airport changed to celebratory, as supporters struggled to catch a glimpse of the activist. The overwhelming number of people within and around the airport premises created a temporary gridlock that extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies were deployed to monitor the situation and maintain order. Their presence helped ensure that the gathering remained peaceful and did not degenerate into any form of violence or public disorder.
Although the event was principally organized as a welcome reception for the activist, still images obtained from shalomdotcom Facebook page indicated many supporters utilized the occasion to express broader concerns over the state of the nation. Several participants openly voiced frustrations over rising insecurity, persistent banditry, economic hardship, and other socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
The gathering reflected the growing influence of VeryDarkMan among young Nigerians and members of civil society who view him as a prominent voice on issues relating to accountability, governance, and social justice.
While the traffic congestion caused by the gathering eventually subsided and normal movement was restored along the airport corridor, discussions on social media platforms among supporters of the activist and youths have remained highly active.
As of the time of filing this report, there wasn’t any arrests, injuries, or major security incidents associated with the protest
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