Nigerian social media activist VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has advocated a hardline approach to tackling terrorism and violent crime in Nigeria, saying suspects caught carrying out attacks should be killed rather than taken into custody.
VDM made the remarks during a discussion on insecurity at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The session, which featured VDM, police representatives and other participants, focused on insecurity and the activities of armed groups in Nigeria. Proceedings from the conference were broadcast live by Sahara TV.
During the question-and-answer session, a participant identified herself as Atikah Idris from the NBA Kano branch asked VDM what he would do differently if he found himself in a position to address Nigeria’s security challenges rather than blaming the government.
VDM acknowledged that he does not currently have the authority to implement security policies but proposed what he described as a more severe approach.
“Caught in the act, you die in the act,” he said.
VDM went further, arguing that security personnel should kill terrorists caught carrying out attacks rather than take them into custody.
He also criticised the rehabilitation of people associated with insurgency, arguing that someone who takes another person’s life should no longer be entitled to the same rights.
Using Boko Haram as an example, VDM said: “If a Boko Haram man kills somebody, you have taken that person’s rights. You no longer deserve your rights.”
His remarks raise questions around extrajudicial killings, due process and the legal protections afforded to suspects under Nigerian law.
The comments came as the NBA conference brought together legal practitioners, security officials and other stakeholders for discussions on some of the country’s major challenges, including insecurity.