Police Break Silence On Arrest Of VeryDarkMan’s Ratel Members

The Delta State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding the temporary detention of members of social media activist VeryDarkMan’s Ratel Movement during a community sanitation exercise in Ibusa, Delta State.

According to information obtained by Ireporter Online, members of the group had alleged that they were arrested while carrying out their routine monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting they were only cleaning the community when security operatives intervened.

Responding to the claims, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, stated that preliminary investigations confirmed the group’s intentions were genuine and community-oriented.

He explained, however, that the situation arose because the Ratel members entered a community where they were unfamiliar without first notifying local authorities, community leaders or the police about their planned sanitation exercise. Their presence reportedly raised suspicion among residents, who subsequently alerted the police.

Edafe noted that when individuals or organisations intend to carry out community service in an area where they are not known, it is important to first inform relevant authorities to avoid misunderstandings.

According to the police spokesperson, the Divisional Police Officer later interviewed the members of the group and established that they were genuinely engaged in community service. Following the verification, they were released without any charges.

He also urged members of the public to avoid turning every incident into social media content, stressing that the matter was resolved after the police confirmed the group’s genuine intentions.

The police maintained that the group was invited for questioning solely because of concerns raised by residents and not because they were participating in a sanitation exercise. No charges were filed after the authorities verified the purpose of their activities.