Controversial social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has responded to accusations from the Anambra State Police and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following his recent visit to a pharmaceutical market in the state.
VDM’s visit, during which he expressed solidarity with local drug traders who allege they have been unfairly targeted by NAFDAC, triggered backlash from both the police and the agency.
Authorities accused him of attempting to incite unrest and called for an investigation into his conduct.
In a video released after the incident, VDM refuted the accusations, stating that he was relieved neither agency accused him of spreading falsehoods.
He maintained that his claims of systemic corruption within NAFDAC should be taken seriously and demanded public scrutiny of the agency’s operations.
VDM alleged that NAFDAC had extorted ₦700,000 from each of approximately 1,000 drug traders, presenting a document he said served as proof of payment from one of the affected individuals.
He argued that if the agency collects money from traders it deems to be dealing in counterfeit drugs, it becomes complicit in perpetuating the illegal trade and endangering public health.
“If NAFDAC allows those they claim are fake drug sellers to continue operating after collecting money, they’re more guilty than the so-called offenders,” he said.
The activist insisted that his aim was not to provoke violence, but to educate traders on their legal rights and encourage them to organize peaceful protests.
He called on NAFDAC to address the extortion allegations publicly and urged the police to conduct a transparent investigation.
VDM also paid tribute to the late Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of NAFDAC, describing her as a reformer who led a genuine fight against counterfeit drugs.
Expanding on his concerns, he warned that continued extortion could lead to a spike in drug prices, potentially making essential medications unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians.
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He cautioned that driving legitimate traders out of business would only worsen the country’s public health challenges.
This development comes amid VDM’s ongoing criticism of government agencies, including recent comments about procedural lapses in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
