VeryDarkMan, the popular Nigerian activist and critic, was recently moved to tears as he announced the passing of a well-known fish seller, popularly called “Fish Magnet,” who had recently extended a kind gesture to him.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, VeryDarkMan disclosed that the fish seller, who had intended to gift him smoked fish as a gesture of gratitude for his activism, was tragically kidnapped and k!lled before he could fulfill the kind act.
A clip from Fish Magnet was shown in the video, where he said: “It will give me more joy to give these fish to VeryDarkMan than to sell them. Just as a way of appreciating him for all the good he’s doing in Nigeria and for coming to Onitsha, Anambra State, to support traders. Please help me tag him so I can get these fish across.”
Sadly, the young man never got the chance. VeryDarkMan, struggling to hold back tears, said: “Unfortunately, he will not be able to give me that fish because he was kidnapped and killed… What was his offence? If you check his page, all he does is promote his business. That’s all.”
He shared screenshots of the late vendor’s messages from June, where the young man had excitedly told him the fish was ready and asked for an address to deliver it.
One of the messages read: “Big brother, please, it will be an honor to get this fish across to you. It’s already in the oven.”
VeryDarkMan used the tragic incident to spotlight the growing insecurity in Anambra and across Nigeria. He called out Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, questioning the safety of ordinary citizens and entrepreneurs trying to make an honest living:
“Governor Soludo, your kids are abroad. If this country wasn’t safe, you wouldn’t send them there. What hope do we have in Nigeria when entrepreneurs are killed just for trying to do business?”
He announced plans to visit Anambra State, proposing a candlelight walk in honor of Fish Magnet and to raise awareness about the rising cases of kidnapping and violence in the southeast: “Maybe on the 3rd or 4th, we’ll hold a candlelight for him. As long as it doesn’t clash with the sit-at-home order, let’s honor him and highlight the growing insecurity. Every day it’s farmers in Benue or Jos. It’s becoming normal — too normal.”
VeryDarkMan ended the video with a plea to the Nigerian youth: “We can’t keep ignoring insecurity. The sooner we start taking it seriously, the better for all of us.”
The heartbreaking tribute has sparked widespread sorrow online, as many join in mourning a man who simply wanted to show gratitude — and lost his life in the process.
