VDM Bows Out of Auchi Protests: “I Won’t Create Content There Again” – Activist Stands Down on Dangote Trucks After Phyna Fallout, Blames Greed for Tragic Delay
In a dramatic U-turn that’s stunned supporters and critics alike, fiery social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has announced he’s pulling back from his high-profile protests against Dangote trucks in Auchi, Edo State, vowing not to return for “content creation” amid the ongoing saga involving the late Ruth Otabor, sister of BBNaija star Phyna. The 31-year-old crusader, known for his relentless calls for accountability, declared in a viral video: “I will not be coming to Auchi to create content again. So make una stand down. Dangote can enjoy freely. There shall be no consequences for the recklessness of his driver. Dangote, enjoy your business. I will not be coming to create content.” The statement, posted on Instagram and shared widely on X, comes just days after Ruth’s tragic death on August 31, which VDM attributes partly to Phyna’s alleged greed, effectively ending his blockade efforts that had halted operations and drawn national attention.
VDM, real name Martins Vincent Otse, burst onto the scene in Auchi last month after Ruth, a 21-year-old recent Auchi Polytechnic graduate and mother of two, was critically injured in an August 13 accident involving a Dangote Cement truck. The crash led to the amputation of her leg and severe complications, including damage to her chest, pelvis, lungs, and reproductive organs. VDM, who had been amplifying Phyna’s pleas since she reached out to him, led student-led demonstrations blocking Dangote trucks, demanding licensed drivers, medical coverage, and compensation for victims. In one viral clip, he rallied crowds near Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, highlighting a 22-year-old woman allegedly abandoned for 11 months with over ₦5 million in unpaid bills from a similar incident. “Every other truck will pass but Dangote’s truck will not pass… These Dangote killings in Auchi have to stop,” he thundered, even meeting Omega Fire Ministry’s Apostle Johnson Suleman atop a bridge to discuss the crisis following a separate fatal crash that killed three near the church.
The protests escalated tensions, with VDM constructing speed bumps and vowing to shut down Dangote operations in Edo if Ruth’s health worsened. However, the alliance with Phyna soured spectacularly. VDM accused her of secretly meeting Dangote reps behind his back, prioritizing a ₦1 billion compensation over Ruth’s urgent treatment, scholarships for her children, and support for the biker involved. “To Phyna, greed was the problem; her sister would still be alive if not for that,” he stated in the latest video, claiming Phyna hid details about Ruth’s kids and sidelined the father. Phyna fired back, labeling VDM a “manipulator” and “liar” for leaking private info and ignoring her calls, while content creator Izzy Ogbeide blamed him for eroding sympathy, saying, “VDM to be blamed… he drew attention away from the family.” Bobrisky and Mercy Eke also weighed in, with the latter wishing Dangote had “embraced Ruth as their own.”
Dangote Group, Africa’s largest conglomerate, expressed “deep sadness” over Ruth’s passing, claiming they covered all costs and had arranged an airlift to India pending clearance – but tragically, she died on life support at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos. The company pledged safety enhancements and FRSC training for truck operators, but critics like VDM argue it’s too little, too late, citing over 5,000 annual road deaths in Nigeria. Eyewitnesses and police reports have added complexity, with some clearing Dangote in certain crashes and questioning Ruth’s accident details, like her arguing on the road post-bike drop-off.
VDM’s retreat has polarized fans. Supporters on X hail it as self-preservation after betrayal, with one tweeting, “VDM did his part; Phyna’s greed spoiled it – now Dangote enjoys freely.” Critics accuse him of opportunism, linking it to past scandals like his Mohbad DNA demands or arrests for cyberbullying. “From blocking trucks to standing down? All for content?” one netizen quipped. VDM clarified he’d return for non-Phyna cases, emphasizing, “If another issue happens that doesn’t involve Phyna, I can come and create awareness.” His activism, which began in 2022 and earned endorsements from Davido, has raised millions but faced backlash for sensationalism.
As Auchi residents mourn and legal probes loom – including potential class-action suits – VDM’s exit raises questions about the sustainability of solo digital crusades in Nigeria’s corrupt landscape. Will Dangote face real reforms, or is this another unchecked “enjoy your business” moment? Phynation rallies for accountability, trending #JusticeForRuth, while VDM’s Ratels stand by their “digital vigilante.” Stream his full video on Instagram for unfiltered takes – in the fight for justice, even warriors know when to stand down.