Nigerian activist and social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM)—has taken his campaign against human trafficking to the doorstep of federal authorities. On Wednesday, he met with top officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja, urging swift intervention to rescue Nigerian girls allegedly trafficked to the Ivory Coast.
The engagement, which included NAPTIP’s Director General and Board Chairman, was triggered by VDM’s recent visit to Ivory Coast, where he encountered several Nigerian girls trapped in dire circumstances. He recounted harrowing stories of their exploitation and living conditions, painting a disturbing picture of modern-day slavery.
Responding to his passionate appeal, NAPTIP officials assured him of immediate action. The Director General commended VDM’s courage and advocacy, stressing that the agency is already coordinating with relevant government bodies to initiate a formal rescue mission.
“These young women are not just victims—they are our daughters. And we owe them protection and justice,” the DG affirmed. While acknowledging that diplomatic and legal protocols might pose delays, she reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to a swift and coordinated response.
The Chairman of the Board echoed similar sentiments, applauding VDM’s involvement and calling on more young Nigerians to stand against human trafficking. He also issued a stern warning to perpetrators, promising they would face severe legal consequences.
During the meeting, officials highlighted the ongoing challenges in combating trafficking including legal hurdles, difficulties in gathering evidence, and insufficient post-rescue support for victims. Despite these issues, the agency expressed renewed hope, citing collaborations like this one with VDM as a step toward greater impact and public awareness.
In his typical unfiltered style, VDM vowed to keep the pressure on. “Silence is not an option while our sisters suffer,” he said. “We all have a role to play.”
The meeting ended with a shared commitment: to bring every trafficked Nigerian girl back home and ensure those behind the abuse are brought to justice.
