VeryDarkMan Claims NGO Website Hacked, N180m Missing

Controversial Nigerian activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has claimed that N180 million was stolen from his newly established NGO, the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, following a cyberattack on its website.

In a video posted on Instagram, Otse revealed that the funds, which had been donated by supporters, were diverted into an unknown account after the website was compromised. The NGO, launched in October 2024, focuses on community development and improving public education in Nigeria. The initiative quickly gained traction, receiving N35 million in donations within hours of its launch, along with a significant N100 million contribution from Nigerian music producer Don Jazzy.

“Honestly, I’ve not been myself for the past few days,” Otse said in the video. “Somebody hacked into the NGO website, and N180 million is missing. Thankfully, we’ve tracked the person, and one suspect has been arrested.”

Otse further explained that the NGO’s account was temporarily locked with a Post No Debit (PND) status, which froze further transactions. While N20 million remains in the account, Otse said that N160 million was illicitly transferred to another account. Authorities are reportedly working to track down the funds, and Otse mentioned that he would be traveling to Jos to help recover the stolen money.

Despite the claims, Otse did not provide specific details on how the NGO’s account was linked to its website, nor did he clarify how the breach occurred. He also stated that the organization’s app had been shut down for maintenance to prevent further security lapses.

The activist has not been available for further comment at the time of writing. Investigations into the cyberattack are ongoing, and Nigerian authorities have not yet issued a statement.

Otse, known for his outspoken views on social justice, has promised to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.