Nigerian activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as Verydarkman (VDM), has lashed out at the Nigerian government, influential corporations, and the public following the death of Ruth Otabor, the younger sister of BBNaija star Phyna, who died on Sunday, August 31, 2025, after battling for her life for 19 days.
Ruth was critically injured when a Dangote truck allegedly driven by an unlicensed driver rammed into her in Auchi, Edo State. The accident left her with devastating injuries, and despite multiple surgeries, she did not survive.
In a viral Instagram video, VDM accused Nigerians, bloggers, and government agencies of hypocrisy, blasting them for ignoring Ruth’s plight while she was alive, only to turn her death into a trending topic after she passed away. “She was alive for 19 days, yet nobody spoke up. Now that she is gone, everybody wants to talk, post, and trend the story,” he said.
The activist argued that if there had been a collective public outcry earlier, the Dangote Group could have been forced to act swiftly, potentially improving Ruth’s chances of survival. He described the company’s reported use of unlicensed drivers as “a ticking time bomb” and a glaring example of corporate irresponsibility.
VDM also issued a damning rebuke of the Nigerian government, accusing regulators and enforcement agencies of systemic failure. He stressed that tragedies like Ruth’s death expose how ordinary Nigerians are repeatedly failed by both the state and powerful corporations that prioritise profit over lives.
“This is not just about Ruth, it’s about a system where the poor have no voice, where corporations can get away with murder, and where the government looks the other way. Nigerians must wake up because tomorrow it could be anybody,” he warned.
His remarks have reignited outrage across social media, where the hashtag #JusticeForRuthOtabor is gaining momentum, with many Nigerians demanding accountability from both the Dangote Group and government agencies. The call for reforms on heavy-duty truck operations—already linked to thousands of road deaths annually—has now intensified, with Ruth’s death becoming a painful symbol of Nigeria’s road safety crisis.
