Odita Sunday 
Coalition Petitions AIG Jimoh, Seeks VDM’s Arrest Over Alleged Cyber-Stalking
A coalition of civil society organisations has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Jimoh Moshood, urging the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of cyber-stalking, criminal defamation and incitement.
In a petition dated July 21, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator and Convener, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice alleged that Otse had embarked on what it described as a sustained campaign of online attacks against the senior police officer.
The coalition claimed that VDM had, in recent weeks, used his social media platforms to publish what it described as false and defamatory allegations aimed at damaging the reputation of AIG Moshood and undermining the authority of his office.
According to the group, the alleged actions go beyond social media commentary and amount to offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including cyber-stalking, criminal defamation and conduct capable of inciting public disorder.
The petition stated that the coalition had previously mobilised media advocacy to counter what it termed “malicious narratives” against the police chief but argued that public rebuttals alone were insufficient to discourage repeated online attacks.
It therefore urged the police authorities to take decisive legal action by arresting Otse, carrying out a comprehensive forensic investigation into his online activities and any alleged collaborators, and prosecuting him before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The coalition maintained that such action would serve as a deterrent to individuals who, it alleged, use social media platforms to make reckless allegations against public officials without evidence.
”A threat to the integrity of a high-ranking officer of the Nigeria Police Force is a threat to national security. We urge you to deploy the full weight of the law without delay,” the petition read.
The group also pledged its continued support for the Nigeria Police Force, saying it would provide media and civil society backing for any lawful steps taken in response to the petition.
Martins Otse had not publicly responded to the petition at the time of filing this report. The allegations contained in the petition represent the claims of the petitioners and have not been independently verified.
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