Popular Nigerian social media personality and activist, Martin Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has sparked widespread concern online following a disturbing post he shared on his official Facebook page.

In the post, which has since generated intense reactions across social media platforms, VDM narrated a frightening experience allegedly encountered by a borehole drilling team he sent to a rural community identified as Chikara community.

Elders Allegedly Demand Rituals Before Borehole Project

According to details gathered by Akahi News, the borehole project, intended to provide clean water for the community, reportedly took a sinister turn shortly after the drilling commenced.

VDM explained that members of the host community, particularly the elders, allegedly insisted that certain traditional rituals must be performed before the borehole installation could proceed smoothly. However, the drilling team reportedly declined to fully comply with the ritual demands, citing personal and professional reasons.

What followed, according to the account, left the workers traumatised.

Borehole Allegedly Dries Up Overnight, Workers Fall Ill

VDM claimed that despite the borehole being successfully drilled initially, the water source mysteriously dried up overnight, an occurrence that shocked the team and raised serious fears.

More alarmingly, some members of the drilling crew reportedly fell sick, prompting panic and forcing the team to abandon the project abruptly.

Akahi News gathered that the workers allegedly fled the community out of fear for their lives, believing that “juju was in play.”

VDM’s Facebook Post Sparks Fear and Debate

In his exact words, VDM wrote:

“The team I sent to Chikara community to dig borehole are back with a sc@ry diabolic story, as a matter of fact they had to run for their lives because according to them, JUJU WAS IN PLAY.”

The post has since reignited public debate on the clash between modern development projects and traditional beliefs in some rural communities across Nigeria.

Mixed Reactions Trail the Allegation

While some Nigerians expressed fear and concern, others questioned the claims, calling for scientific explanations and urging caution against jumping to supernatural conclusions.

However, Akahi News learnt that incidents involving ritual demands during community development projects are not entirely new in parts of the country, especially where traditional beliefs remain deeply rooted.

Broader Implications for Rural Development

Analysts say such reports, whether factual or exaggerated, could discourage private individuals and organisations from undertaking humanitarian projects in underserved communities.

Observers warn that if unresolved, these cultural frictions could continue to hinder access to basic amenities such as clean water, healthcare, and education in rural areas.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from community leaders in Chikara, and VDM has not provided further clarification on the exact location or next steps regarding the abandoned borehole project.

Akahi News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more facts emerge.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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