Tensions flared at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as representatives of the Nigerian Military strongly cautioned controversial activist and social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The confrontation arose after VDM made sweeping allegations during a panel session, questioning the integrity of the armed forces and characterizing the institution as corrupt.

Taking the stage to push back against the claims, a female military representative firmly admonished the activist for making unverified generalizations.

“If VeryDarkMan can sit down here to say all Military are corrupt, it’s as good as saying all lawyers are corrupt too.

“The only institution that is giving this country the safety and sanity we need is the military. Military men are dying daily to make sure that we have the peace that is even possible for us to have this conference,” she said.

She highlighted the sacrifices of service members and demanded that any evidence of misconduct be brought through appropriate channels rather than aired for social media sensationalism.

“When we make statements that are not founded without any basis, come out with your proof and table it before the appropriate authorities for proper investigations,” she added.

The exchange has sparked widespread debate across Nigerian social media, with observers split between supporting VDM’s aggressive stance on public accountability and praising the military’s defence of fallen soldiers and institutional integrity.

“If VeryDarkMan can sit down here to say all Military are corrupt, it’s as good as saying all lawyers are corrupt too. He can not sit down here and just be making substantial claims that he can not back with evidence”

Military representatives caution Verydarkman over making… pic.twitter.com/5JxAbBCsFu

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) August 25, 2026