The True Face of The “Ratel Movement”
By Daniel Bassey
In recent weeks, Nigerian social media platforms have been flooded with videos and posts promoting a new initiative launched by controversial social media personality Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Under the banner of the self-styled “Ratel Movement,” VDM announced plans to mobilize Nigerian youths nationwide for what he described as a monthly community sanitation exercise.
While this might sound like a patriotic civic initiative, Communication Experts and Security Analysts suggests that it carries deeper political and ideological undertones. They argue that VDM’s rhetoric about “taking over Nigeria” and “shutting down the country” indicates an attempt to build an organized social force under the guise of community service, a method historically used by radical movements to recruit and radicalize followers through symbolic public action.
Earlier this month, VDM and his followers released a self-styled “Ratel Movement Anthem” that quickly went viral. The lyrics, according to security analysts, contain phrases that subtly question state authority and portray the movement as the “Fourth Arm of the State.” Observers say this is an attempt to create a sense of alternative legitimacy and an ideological posture that directly challenges the unity and symbolic sanctity of Nigeria’s national anthem and institutions.
The anthem’s rapid popularity online, points to a coordinated communication strategy aimed at emotionally engaging young Nigerians and drawing them into an identity-based movement that extends far beyond mere environmental activism.
Experts warn that the Ratel Movement’s strategy bears striking similarities to the early phases of past digital mobilizations such as #EndSARS and the Take-It-Back Movement, both of which began as online advocacies before spiraling into large-scale street protests that disrupted public order.
Although VDM insists his “takeover” will be peaceful, repeated calls for synchronized monthly activities across different states, analysts fear that the mobilization may lead to the formation of a nationwide network of loyal supporters acting under centralized influence. Social psychologist Dr. Emmanuel Adebiyi explains:
“Mass mobilization around moral or civic themes is one of the most effective recruitment tools for ideological movements. It creates emotional unity, then slowly introduces anti-establishment narratives. What starts as sanitation can quickly become agitation”.
With over a million followers across social media platforms, Martin Vincent Otse commands a vast online audience, mostly young Nigerians who see him as a relatable and fearless voice. His charisma, populist tone, and frequent criticism of government institutions make him both influential and controversial.
Experts in strategic communication note that his content often blends facts with exaggeration, presenting himself as a lone crusader against corruption. This approach, they warn, can easily evolve from social commentary into Mass Emotional Manipulation, particularly among unemployed or disenchanted youths seeking belonging.
No one disputes the importance of civic responsibility or youth involvement in national development. Cleaning streets, fixing schools, and promoting environmental awareness are commendable efforts. However, when such initiatives are wrapped in Militant Slogans and Anti-Establishment Narratives, they risk becoming tools of manipulation rather than instruments of progress. This is more so that the submission of the World Bank disclosing about 139 million Nigerians under poverty line may serve as another tool for social media influencer to malign the Federal Government.
Government agencies, community leaders, and civil society groups are therefore urged to channel youth energy into genuine nation-building, ensuring that no movement, however attractively branded, operates outside constitutional boundaries. As one senior security analyst put it, “True patriotism builds institutions: it doesn’t replace them”.
