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The feud between human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu and social media commentator VeryDarkMan has kept Nigerians talking over the past two months, following a kidnapping in Aviele community, Edo State.
In November 2025, a man and his wife were abducted. The kidnappers demanded fifty million naira, but after negotiation, the family raised about twenty million naira to secure their release. Harrison Gwamnishu became involved after the family sought his help. His role was to coordinate communication between the family, security contacts, and the kidnappers.
The dispute began when only the woman was released. The kidnappers claimed the ransom paid was incomplete, refusing to release her husband. Soon after, the woman’s brother accused Harrison of withholding five point four million naira from the ransom. The allegation quickly spread on social media, drawing public attention.
Harrison denied stealing any money, insisting that some of the funds were used for logistics and operational costs in the rescue effort. However, he did not initially provide detailed accounts, which fueled suspicion and criticism.
VeryDarkMan later became involved publicly, stating that he had contacted the police after receiving information from the family. He said the matter required formal investigation. Following this, the Edo State Police arrested Harrison Gwamnishu for questioning over the ransom handling. He was later released on bail by the Edo State High Court in December 2025. Investigations are still ongoing.
In early January 2026, VeryDarkMan released online videos questioning Harrison’s role in the case. In those videos, he suggested Harrison may have been more involved in the kidnapping than he admitted, although no evidence was presented publicly.
Harrison responded on TVC News on January 12,2026. He said VeryDarkMan had accused him of planning or being involved in the kidnapping. Harrison described the accusation as false and dangerous, warning that such claims could endanger his life. He challenged VeryDarkMan to produce evidence to support the allegations.
Harrison did not accused VeryDarkMan of making reckless claims on social media without verification, which influenced public perception and pressured law enforcement.
Earlier in January, Harrison issued a public apology, admitting that he was not fully accountable in handling some of the resources during the rescue. He clarified that the apology was not an admission of theft, but a recognition that he failed to maintain proper transparency under intense pressure.
VeryDarkMan rejected Harrison’s explanations, insisting that the public deserves full accountability. He said his actions aimed at uncovering the truth and ensuring that no one is shielded from scrutiny because of their activism.
As of January 15, 2026, Harrison Gwamnishu remains free on bail, while police investigations continue. No court has determined guilt or innocence. The case has sparked national discussions about ransom negotiations, accountability in activism, and the influence of social media in law enforcement matters. Until investigations are concluded, the facts remain contested, and all parties involved remain presumed innocent under the law.
