Prominent Nigerian social media activist Martins Otse, widely recognized as VeryDarkMan, publicly expressed grief after the killing of Anambra businessman Ifesinachi Onyekere, whose violent abduction and death have intensified concerns over Nigeria’s escalating security crisis. Onyekere, son of a local political leader with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was seized by armed assailants from his Ezinifite residence in Awka South Local Government Area on Saturday before being found dead Wednesday, sparking national outcry.
The 32-year-old entrepreneur, known as “Fish Magnet” for his thriving seafood trade, became the latest victim in a wave of kidnappings plaguing southeastern Nigeria. Witnesses reported gunmen storming his home in Okpuno, a recurring hotspot for such attacks, with security forces yet to confirm whether ransom demands were made or identify perpetrators.
In an emotional Facebook livestream, Otse tearfully condemned the incident as emblematic of systemic failures. “What future exists for entrepreneurs in Nigeria when young businesspeople are hunted down?” questioned the activist, whose criticism of governmental security policies has garnered over 800,000 followers. He announced plans for an August 4 candlelight vigil at Anambra’s bustling fish markets, timing the event to avoid coinciding with periodic “sit-at-home” protests – lockdowns enforced by separatist groups that have compounded the region’s instability.
While Anambra police confirmed launching investigations, community leaders report at least 15 similar kidnappings this month alone in Awka districts. Analysts note criminal gangs increasingly target relatives of public figures, leveraging family political ties for higher ransom payouts. The state government recently expanded its controversial “non-kinetic” security approach, involving community dialogue rather than military force, though critics argue this has emboldened assailants.
Onyekere’s death highlights intersecting challenges: violent crime interwoven with separatist tensions in Nigeria’s southeast, where over 2,000 civilians were killed in conflict-related violence last year according to ACLED data. As residents brace for Otse’s memorial event, security analysts warn that inadequate responses could further erode public trust in institutions while chilling economic activity in one of Nigeria’s most industrialized regions.
