Delta Police Explain Arrest of VeryDarkMan's Ratel Movement Members

The Delta State Police Command has explained the circumstances that led to the temporary detention of members of the Ratel Movement, a social initiative associated with social media activist VeryDarkMan, during a community sanitation exercise in Ibusa.

The clarification followed claims by some members of the group that they were arrested while carrying out their routine monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the community.

Responding to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, said preliminary investigations showed that the group's activities were legitimate and aimed at community service.

According to Edafe, the issue arose because the volunteers began the sanitation exercise in a community where they were not known without first notifying local authorities, community leaders or the police.

He explained that residents who were unfamiliar with the group became suspicious of their presence and alerted the police, prompting officers to intervene and invite the volunteers for questioning.

Edafe said the Divisional Police Officer later interviewed members of the Ratel Movement and confirmed that they were genuinely engaged in community sanitation.

Following the verification, the group was released without any charges after police established that there was no criminal intent behind their activities.

The police spokesperson advised organisations and volunteer groups planning similar exercises in unfamiliar communities to notify traditional leaders, community representatives or security agencies beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.

He also urged members of the public not to sensationalise every police intervention on social media, stressing that the incident was resolved peacefully after the group's intentions were confirmed.