By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Controversial social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has accused key figures in government, including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, of complicity in the death of the late Mr. Ifesinachi Onyekere (popularly known as Fish Magnet) who was recently abducted and gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in the state.
He made the damning allegations on Tuesday during a candlelight procession held in Awka, the Anambra State capital, in honour of the slain entrepreneur, who was an only son and Managing Director of the Fish Magnet outlet.
The procession, which commenced from Aroma Junction to Fish Magnet’s office, drew a large crowd of grieving youths, most of whom were dressed in black in a symbolic display of mourning. The event was also observed by security personnel and some government officials.
Addressing the mourners at the Fish Magnet’s office, VeryDarkMan, in a fiery speech, laid blame for the young businessman’s tragic death squarely at the feet of the government and security leadership in the country.
While he acknowledged that the murder was attributed to kidnappers, he asserted that the actual responsibility for the murder lies with public officials and institutions, including Governor Charles Soludo, President Bola Tinubu, the Local Government Chairman, the Inspector-General of Police, and the heads of Nigeria’s security forces — Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff.
VDM argued that the government’s failure to provide adequate security, despite collecting taxes and possessing abundant national resources, makes it complicit in the killing.
Speaking earlier, before the procession kicked off, VeryDarkMan equally blamed institutional failure for the insecurity in the country and the death of the late entrepreneur, attributing it to what de described as longstanding incompetence in Nigeria’s security system.
He also disclosed that attempts were made to stop the candlelight event, out of fears that it might have political undertones. However, he emphasized that his presence and involvement were purely humanitarian and not politically motivated, further appreciating all who came out to join the procession.
“I want to appreciate every one of you that took out time to come here. It is so sad that it’s not a thing of happiness that gathered us here, but sadness. But it is so sad that we are gathered here today because of the demise of a young blood like every one of us,” he said.
According to him, the procession served not just as a tribute to the late Fish Magnet, but also as a call for greater security and government accountability. He warned that if nothing changed, more young people could suffer similar fates in the near future. Drawing from his personal experiences, he lamented the numerous cases of gruesome killings he had witnessed across different parts of the country.
VeryDarkMan further decried the economic and security environment that continues to stifle Nigerian youths. Using the late Fish Magnet as a reference, he noted that despite struggling to build a legitimate business in an unfavourable economy, the government still failed to provide him the basic security necessary to stay alive.
He also referenced similar tragedies across other states, including incidents in Enugu, Benue, and Plateau, where many lives were lost to violent attacks. He described the situation as a national emergency and urged Nigerian youths not to be distracted or silenced by fleeting trends. He stressed that consistent public pressure is necessary to compel government action.
The influencer also acknowledged the sacrifices of security operatives, noting that even police and soldiers are frequent targets of violent attacks due to lack of proper equipment. He questioned how terrorists and criminal groups often possess more sophisticated weapons than state security forces, describing it as a major national threat that demands urgent attention.
Concluding his address, he encouraged residents of Anambra and beyond to continue supporting the business left behind by the deceased, urging them not to allow the legacy of Fish Magnet to die or fade off.
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