VeryDarkMan Raises Fresh Questions Over Alleged ₦96 Million Customs Auction Scandal

Social media personality and activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has raised serious questions about an alleged ₦96 million transaction involving purportedly auctioned containers linked to the Nigeria Customs Service.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, VDM alleged that an Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja was involved in a transaction in which a man was allegedly informed that eight containers were available for auction at the Lagos Port.

According to the account shared by VDM, the containers were allegedly offered at ₦12 million each, bringing the total cost of the eight containers to ₦96 million. The prospective buyer was reportedly instructed to make payment for all eight containers.

However, before committing the money, the man allegedly requested to meet the ACG said to be in charge of the auction. VDM claimed that the request was granted and that the man travelled to Abuja, where he allegedly met the senior Customs officer in his office before proceeding with the payment.

What reportedly happened afterwards is at the centre of the controversy.

VDM alleged that, despite the payment of the ₦96 million, the transaction subsequently turned out to be a scam, raising questions about how such a large financial transaction could allegedly take place under circumstances involving a purported senior Customs official.

It is important to stress that these allegations have not been independently verified by this publication, and no conclusion of wrongdoing should be drawn against any named or unnamed Customs officer unless established by the appropriate authorities.

The allegations are particularly significant because the Nigeria Customs Service has previously warned members of the public about fraudsters impersonating Customs officials and using purported auction opportunities to defraud unsuspecting victims.

In an official warning, the Nigeria Customs Service stated that seized and overtime goods are subject to established procedures for disposal under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The Service also warned that purported Customs auctions promoted through social media should be treated with caution and urged members of the public to verify financial commitments directly with Customs authorities before making payments.

The Customs Service has also stated that its official responsibilities include revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, enforcement and the management of customs-related processes at approved ports and border stations.

Under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, there are formal procedures governing the seizure and forfeiture of goods. The law provides, among other things, for notice of seizure and opportunities for claims concerning seized property.

The controversy therefore raises an important question: if the alleged transaction occurred as described, was the ₦96 million payment made through an officially authorised Customs auction process, or was the victim dealing with individuals falsely presenting themselves as authorised officers or intermediaries?

That distinction will be crucial to any investigation.

The story has already generated a wave of reactions online, with commenters expressing disbelief and using humour to question the circumstances surrounding the alleged transaction.

One commenter wrote: “At the end of the day na Nigeria Customs come later auction the man money without containers.”

Another sarcastically remarked that if someone could explain Nigeria to them and they actually understood everything, “the chance of getting mad is high.”

Others called on Customs authorities to investigate the matter and demanded that the agency establish what happened to the money and whether the alleged containers actually existed.

The incident also highlights the risks involved in paying large sums for government-related transactions without independently confirming the authenticity of the offer, the identity and authority of the individuals involved, the physical existence of the goods and the official payment channel.

The Nigeria Customs Service currently provides official contact channels and advises members of the public to use its authorised platforms and offices when seeking information about Customs operations.

For now, the ₦96 million container allegation remains a claim requiring investigation. The key issue is whether the transaction was an authorised Customs auction, an alleged abuse of official position, or an elaborate impersonation scam.

Either way, the allegations have placed another spotlight on transparency, accountability and public confidence in the management of seized and forfeited goods in Nigeria.

The public will be watching closely to see whether the Nigeria Customs Service responds to the allegations and whether the reported victim can recover the ₦96 million.

As the saying goes: when ₦96 million is involved, Nigerians deserve answers—not explanations that create even more questions.