{
  "id": 5543290,
  "title": "VDM apologises to security agencies over NBA speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/vdm-apologises-to-security-agencies-over-nba-speech",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T11:32:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/vdm-apologises-to-security-agencies-over-nba-speech/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "VeryDarkMan, also known as Martins Vincent Otse, has apologized to Nigerian security personnel for his controversial remarks during the NBA's 66th Annual General Conference. In a video posted on Friday, Otse acknowledged that his speech was unfair to the soldiers, police, customs, and immigration personnel who risk their lives to protect Nigerians. He initially described these personnel as \"unknown gunmen\" during the conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, Otse clarified that his intention was to draw attention to corrupt and sabotaging elements within the security forces, rather than accusatory remarks against all security personnel. He expressed regret for inadvertently discouraging soldiers fighting against threats like Boko Haram and emphasized that his speech was meant to highlight the \"bad eggs\" within the security agencies. Otse apologized to the Chief of Defence Staff, the security agencies' leadership, and the families of fallen security personnel. He maintained that despite his criticisms, there were still many good people within the security forces and urged the genuine protectors of the country not to be discouraged by his comments.",
  "summary": "Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) apologises to Nigerian security agencies for controversial remarks made at the NBA conference, clarifying his inten Read More: https://punchng.com/vdm-apologises-to-security-agencies-over-nba-speech/",
  "key_points": [
    "VeryDarkMan, Martins Vincent Otse, apologized to Nigerian security agencies",
    "Acknowledged his speech was unfair to soldiers, police, customs, immigration",
    "Regretted discouraging fighters against Boko Haram, urged good security personnel"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "VDM apologises to security agencies over NBA speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/vdm-apologises-to-security-agencies-over-nba-speech-5545246",
        "published": "2026-09-04T11:42:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}