Popular Nigerian activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has sparked a wave of outrage after witnessing a young man defecating in public on the Ikeja bridge in Lagos. The incident, which took place on the busy bridge that leads to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, left the activist furious and calling for better enforcement of public hygiene laws.
VDM, well-known for his strong stance on social issues and activism, recounted the incident on social media, explaining that he had just arrived in Lagos when the shocking sight unfolded. As he was driving along the bridge, a car ahead of him flashed its headlights, drawing his attention to the disgusting scene. A man, apparently oblivious to his surroundings, was openly defecating on the side of the bridge.
In an online post, VDM expressed his disgust, stating, “I was left in utter shock. How could anyone think it’s acceptable to do such a thing in a public place, especially on a bridge so close to the airport?”
Immediately reacting to the situation, VDM stopped his vehicle and confronted the man. The activist demanded that the young man clean up the mess, urging him to take responsibility for his actions. The confrontation escalated when the man reluctantly complied, collecting his excrement and walking away while holding it in his hand, a scene that VDM filmed and shared online.
In his video, VDM expressed disbelief at the behaviour and voiced his frustration at the lack of consequences for such unhygienic and disgraceful acts. “Why is it that people think they can defecate in public without fear of punishment? Where is the accountability for such actions?” he questioned.
This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of public sanitation and hygiene in Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most populous and rapidly growing cities. While public toilets are available in some parts of the city, the lack of accessible facilities and the absence of strict enforcement of sanitation laws often lead to such acts of public defecation, especially in crowded areas.
Public defecation is not an isolated issue in Lagos, where millions of people live in informal settlements with limited access to basic sanitation services. In some areas, residents face long distances to reach public toilets, and many are forced to relieve themselves in open spaces, including bridges, highways, and drainage channels. The lack of adequate infrastructure has made it a persistent problem in various parts of the city.
Lagos State government officials have repeatedly promised to improve public sanitation, but the problem persists, especially in slum areas and densely populated neighborhoods. Critics have pointed out that while there are laws against public defecation, enforcement remains weak. The absence of public toilets in strategic locations also contributes to the problem, leaving residents with few options but to resort to unhealthy and unsanitary practices.
VDM’s viral post has sparked a public debate on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their disapproval of the act and calling for better public sanitation policies. Others have pointed out that the incident highlights a deeper issue of societal indifference toward public hygiene and the well-being of others.
One Twitter user commented, “This is unacceptable, and it’s not just about the person who defecated in public. It’s about all of us, and how we’ve failed to create a society where basic hygiene is taken seriously. We need to do better.”
Another user shared their experience: “I’ve seen similar acts in different parts of Lagos. It’s disturbing to think that we live in a city of over 20 million people, and yet something as basic as access to toilets is still a problem.”
The issue of public sanitation is not unique to Lagos, but the city’s rapid urbanization and population growth have exacerbated the problem. As Lagos continues to grow, there is increasing pressure on the state government to implement more effective solutions to address the city’s sanitation challenges.
For VDM, the incident was not just a matter of personal frustration but a call for action. He used the video to urge authorities to take stronger steps in ensuring that citizens adhere to basic hygiene standards, emphasizing that the responsibility to keep public spaces clean lies with everyone.
The incident has also brought to light the work of grassroots organizations and activists in Lagos, who continue to advocate for better sanitation services and infrastructure. These groups argue that the government must prioritize sanitation as a key issue in order to improve public health and the quality of life for Lagosians.
As the debate continues, the call for better sanitation facilities and enforcement of public hygiene laws is growing louder. The hope is that incidents like this will lead to meaningful change and greater awareness about the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces.
