Social media activist and commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has defended his invitation to speak at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association conference amid criticism over his participation.

The NBA conference, which runs from August 21 to 28, brings together legal practitioners and other notable personalities to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s justice system and wider society.

Speaking at the event, VeryDarkMan said his role was not to lecture lawyers on legal matters but to share his experiences of witnessing violence and insecurity across the country.

He explained that the session, which he referred to as “Unknown Known Gunmen,” was focused on the realities of insecurity and its impact on Nigerians, including members of the legal profession.

According to him, the subject goes beyond courtroom proceedings, particularly as judges and other legal practitioners have increasingly become victims of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

He cited the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto, who he said was kidnapped in Kebbi on July 26 and held for about a week before being released.

The activist also accused the media of failing to give sufficient attention to violent incidents and their aftermath, arguing that inadequate coverage could limit public understanding of the scale of insecurity in the country.

VeryDarkMan said his perspective on the issue was informed by what he described as firsthand experiences at several scenes of violence.

He claimed to have been among the first people to respond to the aftermath of the attack in Yelwata, as well as other incidents in which women were killed.

The social media commentator also recalled witnessing the aftermath of explosions and attacks, including an incident he described as a Sallah Day bombing in Borno, as well as incidents involving the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and a post office.

“I have seen blood and seen people burnt alive,” he said.

Speaking about the violence in Yelwata, VeryDarkMan described it as a retaliatory attack, alleging that the incident followed the killing of a Fulani boy.

He said his contribution at the NBA conference was intended to provide perspectives based on experiences outside the courtroom and not to challenge lawyers on their knowledge of the law.

VeryDarkMan maintained that his invitation was therefore relevant to the discussion on insecurity and its broader consequences for Nigerian society.