VeryDarkMan Arrest: GTB Faces Mass Withdrawals Online Baclashes
Thousands of Nigerians have begun withdrawing their funds from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) following the controversial arrest of popular online commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM). In less than 24 hours, over 10,000 customers reportedly initiated account closures, triggering growing concern within the bank’s internal security and operations departments.
GTBank’s official social media pages have been flooded with over 5,000 complaints and protest messages, with many customers accusing the institution of complicity or silence in what they call the unfair detention of VDM. Hashtags such as #FreeVDM, #BoycottGTBank, and #WeStandWithVDM are now trending on Nigerian Twitter (X) and Facebook, amplifying calls for accountability.
Sources within the bank disclosed that GTBank is weighing the suspension of select operations nationwide for up to four days, citing employee safety concerns and the increasing threat of digital backlash turning into physical disruptions. This planned operational pause, while not officially confirmed, is already causing panic among customers.
VDM, known for his fiery social commentary and large online following, was arrested on May 2, 2025, under yet-to-be-clarified charges. His arrest has sparked outrage from civil society groups and digital activists who claim he’s being targeted for exposing elite misconduct. GTBank’s silence on the matter, despite being mentioned in some of VDM’s previous exposés, has fueled suspicions and triggered online campaigns.
The mass withdrawals have put pressure on GTBank’s liquidity systems and customer service infrastructure. Long queues were seen outside branches in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, while users on online banking forums reported glitches and slower transfer approvals due to high traffic.
The bank issued a brief statement late Friday night urging customers to remain calm, promising that all transactions remain secure. However, the statement made no mention of the VDM situation, which has only further angered the protestors.
As the movement continues to grow online, observers say GTBank may need to publicly address the controversy and engage directly with affected customers to prevent further damage to its reputation and customer trust.
