A legal practitioner and Chief Operating Officer of UBIIJUS Intelligence, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, has criticised social media activist, Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM, over calls for protests against insecurity, describing the move as capable of undermining national stability.

In a statement personally signed and released weekend, Agbomhere said Nigeria’s security challenges require unity, patriotism, and citizen cooperation with security agencies, not street protests or anti-government rhetoric.

He accused the activist of promoting narratives that could erode public confidence in government institutions at a critical time.

“It deeply upsets me seeing some gullible, unpatriotic and ill-wishing Nigerians, both at home and abroad, celebrating VeryDarkMan, an individual whose stock-in-trade is insulting people online and ridiculing a nation grappling with complex security challenges.

“Calling for protests against insecurity or against the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not patriotism; it is an act capable of encouraging disorder and undermining national stability,” Agbomhere stated.

The lawyer argued that insecurity is driven by multiple factors including weak law enforcement, poverty, unemployment, poor education, communal conflicts, drug abuse, greed, and the pursuit of quick wealth, adding that addressing these issues requires collective effort rather than political agitation.

According to the author of “Nigeria’s National Security Challenges”, the solution lies in strengthening cooperation between citizens and security agencies through credible intelligence and community vigilance.

Agbomhere commended the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other emergency institutions.

“While significant challenges remain, Nigerians must acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who put their lives on the line daily in service to our nation. Their efforts deserve not only recognition but also the active support and cooperation of citizens,” he said.

He maintained that security cannot be left solely to government, noting that “no security architecture, regardless of its sophistication, can succeed without public support.”

“Given the size of our country and the complexity of modern security threats, citizens must remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities. Timely intelligence from members of the public remains one of the most effective tools for preventing crime,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom and the United States, Agbomhere said citizens in advanced democracies often serve as the first line of defence through vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement.

The lawyer alleged that some political actors were seeking to exploit insecurity as a platform for partisan interests ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to mobilise public anger against constituted authority could heighten tensions across the country.

While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, Agbomhere stressed that such rights “must be exercised responsibly and in a manner that promotes peace, unity and national development.”

He urged public office holders, security personnel, and law enforcement agencies to remain steadfast in preventing crime and ensuring offenders face justice.

Agbomhere also called on Nigerians not to lose faith in the country’s institutions, saying the fight against insecurity requires patience, resilience, and sustained collaboration.

“Nigeria will overcome its current security challenges if citizens, communities and government institutions work together in the national interest. This is a time for unity, patriotism and collective action, not division. Together, we can build a safer and more secure nation for all,” he concluded.