24/08/2025
Update! Update!! Update!!! Very Darkman Chases Down Kidnappers Along Afuze–Benin Road In the early hours of Saturday morning, tension gripped travelers along the notorious Afuze–Benin road in Edo State as gunmen suspected to be kidnappers intercepted two commercial vehicles and whisked away several passengers into the surrounding bushland.
What started as another grim tale of highway insecurity took an unexpected turn when social media personality and activist, Very Darkman, happened to be traveling behind the scene of the incident. According to multiple eyewitnesses, the attack occurred around 7:40 a.m., near a bend between Uokha and Otuo, areas that have increasingly become dangerous zones for travelers. Two buses headed to Benin City were forced to a halt by armed men in camouflage and face masks, brandishing assault rifles. “They blocked the road with logs and started shooting in the air,” said Aisha Lawal, one of the passengers who managed to escape.
“They pulled out about 12 people, including a woman and her child. It was chaos.” Very Darkman, who was en route to Benin for a youth empowerment event, was in a black SUV accompanied by his cameraman and a local guide. Upon witnessing the commotion, his vehicle stopped at a safe distance. But instead of fleeing, he reportedly stepped out and began coordinating efforts to pursue the attackers. “At first, we didn’t believe it,” said Osahon Eweka, a commercial driver who witnessed the scene. “He wasn’t afraid. He came out of his car and told us not to panic. He even tried calling the police immediately.” Without wasting time, Very Darkman and his companions followed the kidnappers’ trail into the bush, accompanied by a few brave local vigilantes who arrived minutes later. Using his large social media following, he livestreamed part of the aftermath and urged followers to alert authorities urgently. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows a visibly enraged Very Darkman urging security forces to “wake up” and “act like lives matter in Nigeria.”
His live video peaked at over 120,000 viewers within the first hour. Sources close to him revealed that he had no formal weapons, only a walkie-talkie and a flashlight, yet was determined to track the criminals until police reinforcement could arrive. His act, though daring, was not without risk, as gunshots were still being heard in the vicinity. “We kept telling him it was too dangerous, but he said, ‘If we keep running, they’ll keep winning,’” said Uche, his cameraman. “He wasn’t trying to be a hero; he was just tired of how normal kidnapping has become in Nigeria.” About 45 minutes later, a joint task force of local vigilantes and Edo State Police arrived on the scene after being alerted through social media and emergency calls. Guided by eyewitness accounts and clues picked up by Very Darkman’s team, they began combing the forest for signs of the kidnappers. The bush chase led to a brief shootout between the police and the kidnappers.
Though the criminals managed to escape deeper into the forest with some victims, three hostages were successfully rescued, including a 9-year-old boy and his mother. By late afternoon, authorities confirmed that a manhunt was ongoing and pledged to deploy drone surveillance and tracker dogs to cover more terrain. The Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Funsho Olawale, praised Very Darkman’s bravery but cautioned civilians against putting themselves at such high risk. “We commend his civic courage, but we advise Nigerians to prioritize their safety and always alert law enforcement first,” the commissioner said during a press briefing. “Still, his actions likely saved lives yesterday.” Social media exploded with reactions, with.
Influencers, celebrities, and civil society organizations hailed his bravery and called for improved road safety nationwide. “One man can’t save a nation, but one man can inspire it,.Very Darkman has shown us that silence is complicity.” Back in Afuze, local residents expressed gratitude but also frustration. “We’ve been shouting about the insecurity here for years,” said Chief Ikponmwosa of Otuo. “It took someone like him being involved for the country to notice. That’s not right.” Meanwhile, Darkman himself took to Instagram later in the evening to share a short video message: “I’m not a hero. I’m just a tired Nigerian. If our leaders won’t protect us, we will protect each other.” The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at the Irrua Specialist Hospital. Family members have thanked both the vigilantes and Very Darkman for their bravery and quick response. Advocacy groups are now renewing their call for federal intervention along the Afuze–Auchi–Benin corridor, a known kidnapping hotspot. Some are even suggesting a permanent military outpost in the area. As the nation continues to grapple with rising insecurity, Very Darkman’s intervention has reignited conversations about citizen action, the power of social media, and the urgent need to secure Nigeria’s highways. Whether symbolic or substantial, his actions yesterday may mark a turning point in public resistance to lawlessness. please stay safe
