Popular Nigerian social media personality, Martins Otse, known as Very DarkMan, has issued a public apology to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after a recent viral video showed him dressed in a police like uniform and introducing himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). This video drew the attention of the NPF, leading to a call for questioning at a police station, where VeryDarkMan clarified his intentions and offered his apologies.
The video, which went viral on social media, featured VeryDarkMan dressed in a uniform resembling that of the NPF, where he humorously called himself CSP VeryDarkMan. However, the uniform’s resemblance to the official attire and his use of the title raised concerns about potential impersonation. The NPF responded promptly, emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity of their ranks and uniforms, and subsequently called VeryDarkMan in for questioning.
Following the incident, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram to explain his side of the story and apologize. He clarified that his intent was not to impersonate a police officer but to create engaging content. 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, he stated. He shared that he intended CSP to stand for Chief Social Media Person rather than the official rank of Chief Superintendent of Police.
In his message, VeryDarkMan advised other creators and the public to always seek official permission before using outfits or accessories that resemble law enforcement uniforms. You might want to use it for good, but others might want to use it for bad, so it’s good to get full approval before using anything that might seem impersonating, he said. This experience, he reflected, had taught him a valuable lesson about the potential consequences of resembling official symbols and attire without authorization.
The NPF had previously warned content creators against the unauthorized use of police uniforms and symbols, citing concerns over potential misrepresentation and misuse. After VeryDarkMan’s video went viral, the Force headquarters reiterated its position and announced its intent to investigate the use of police like attire by the social media personality.
VeryDarkMan’s apology and statement serve as a reminder to all content creators about the importance of respecting official symbols and ranks. His experience highlights the need for caution, especially when creating content that could inadvertently mislead or offend. By publicly addressing the incident, VeryDarkMan demonstrated accountability and set an example for others in the online community.