Bandits Are Taking Over Nigeria: VDM Mobilises Hundreds in Abuja Protest
ABUJA — Hundreds of protesters flooded major streets in Nigeria’s capital on Thursday in a demonstration against worsening insecurity across the country.
The protest was led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who called for urgent action to address the growing security crisis.
The protest, which attracted youths, civil society groups and concerned residents, focused on the rising cases of kidnappings, bandit attacks and the growing economic hardship confronting many Nigerians.
Carrying placards and banners, the demonstrators marched through several parts of Abuja, chanting slogans against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The protesters also accused the government of failing to adequately protect lives and property despite the huge sums allocated annually to the nation’s security sector.
The demonstration, which drew youths, civil society groups and concerned residents, comes amid growing public anxiety over the persistent wave of attacks, abductions and violent crimes reported in different parts of Nigeria.
Addressing the crowd, VDM said many Nigerians now live in fear and can no longer move freely because of the activities of criminal groups operating across the country.
“Bandits are taking over Nigeria. We are tired. Nigerians deserve to live without fear and travel without looking over their shoulders,” he told the protesters.
He questioned why insecurity has continued to escalate despite the billions of naira budgeted annually for security operations, insisting that citizens deserve to see tangible results from government spending.
VDM also referred to previous remarks attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, alleging that authorities possess information about some criminal groups but have failed to take decisive action against them.
“You know their faces and you know their names. Go and get them,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
The activist further condemned the recurring abduction of schoolchildren in different parts of the country, describing the incidents as a painful reminder of the security challenges confronting Nigeria.
According to him, repeated kidnappings and attacks have emboldened criminal networks while leaving many communities vulnerable and fearful.
He also raised concerns about the welfare of security personnel, arguing that many officers are deployed to confront heavily armed criminals while working under difficult conditions and inadequate support systems.
The protesters later marched 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 stronger and more coordinated efforts to combat kidnappers, bandits and terrorist groups.
Security operatives were deployed around strategic locations, including the Presidential Villa, Eagle Square and other sensitive areas, as authorities monitored the protest and managed traffic disruptions caused by the procession.
The protest reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over the country’s security situation, with many citizens questioning the widening gap between rising security expenditures and the continued wave of kidnappings, terrorist attacks and violent crimes affecting communities nationwide.
For many participants, the demonstration was more than a protest, it was a public demand for accountability and a call for urgent measures to restore safety, confidence and stability across the country.
