Hundreds of Nigerians marched through parts of Abuja on Thursday as social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led a protest demanding urgent action against rising insecurity, kidnappings, and economic hardship across the country.
The demonstrators, made up of youths, civil society groups, and concerned citizens, gathered in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory, including Apo, carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for stronger government intervention.
As the crowd moved through major roads, protesters repeatedly chanted, “Terrorists Must Go,” “Kidnappers Must Go,” “Bandits Must Go,” and “APC Must Go,” expressing frustration over the persistent wave of violent attacks and abductions in different parts of Nigeria.
The protest followed similar demonstrations earlier in the week and highlighted growing public concern over security challenges that continue to affect communities nationwide.
Security personnel were deployed to strategic locations across Abuja, including the Presidential Villa, Eagle Square, and other government facilities. The demonstration also caused temporary traffic disruptions in some areas of the city.
Addressing the crowd, VeryDarkMan accused the government of failing to effectively tackle insecurity despite substantial budgetary allocations to the security sector.
“We are tired. We can no longer travel freely because bandits are taking over Nigeria,” he told protesters, insisting that funds earmarked for security should translate into visible improvements in public safety.
The activist also referred to previous comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, claiming that authorities possess information about some criminal groups but have not taken sufficient action against them.
“You know their faces and you know their names… go and get them,” he said.
VDM further criticised the recurring abductions of schoolchildren and attacks on communities, arguing that the continued incidents suggest that criminal groups have become increasingly emboldened.
He also raised concerns about the welfare of security personnel, stating that many officers are expected to confront heavily armed criminals while operating under challenging conditions.
During the protest, participants questioned the effectiveness of rising security expenditures in the face of continued kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and banditry. Many demanded greater accountability and more coordinated efforts from security agencies.
The demonstrators later proceeded toward key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Defence and the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, where they renewed calls for decisive action against terrorists, kidnappers, and bandit groups.
The protest comes amid growing national debate over insecurity, with citizens, political leaders, and civil society organisations continuing to push for stronger measures to protect lives and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
