Social critic Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has publicly apologized to the Nigeria Police Force after facing backlash for appearing in a police uniform in a recent video. The police condemned his unauthorized use of the uniform and subsequently launched an investigation into the incident.
In the controversial video, VeryDarkMan was seen wearing police attire while introducing himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) of the Online Division. This prompted outrage and concerns regarding the implications of his actions.
Amidst the growing criticism, VeryDarkMan released an apology video on Thursday, where he addressed the situation directly. “Back from the police station where I was interrogated based on the post I made wearing a costume that the police claim is similar to theirs,” he stated. He emphasized, “I didn’t intend to impersonate the police in any way and I tender my unreserved apologies to the Nigeria Police Force and the office of the Inspector General of Police.”
In addition to his apology, he advised the public to seek proper authorization before wearing police uniforms to prevent misunderstandings and legal repercussions. “I would like to use this medium to tell the general public to always seek permission from the police or other law enforcement agencies before using anything that might look like their uniform. You might want to use it for good but there are others that might want to use it for bad. So it’s good to get full approval before using anything that might seem impersonating,” he warned.
This incident has reignited discussions on the responsibilities of social media influencers and the potential consequences of their actions on public perception and law enforcement. VeryDarkMan’s experience highlights the need for caution and respect for official attire in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.