114
By Tracy Moses
Prominent social activist, VeryDarkMan (VDM), has threatened to mobilise against the Dangote Group and halt its operations in Edo State if Ruth Otabor, a young graduate injured in a truck accident involving the company, loses her life.
Ruth, who only completed her final examinations at Auchi Polytechnic six days earlier, was struck by a Dangote trailer on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The impact left her with severe injuries that necessitated the immediate amputation of one of her legs.
“This is pure wickedness and negligence,” VDM declared in a video posted on his X handle on Thursday, “If anything happens to Ruth, we will ensure Dangote operations in Edo State are shut down. This is not a threat, it’s a promise.”
The incident has since ignited outrage on social media, with many accusing the company of negligence and a cover-up.
According to VDM, Ruth’s sister, Fina, first reached out in distress, alleging that the truck driver attempted to escape but was apprehended by bystanders. “People caught the driver trying to run away,” she told VDM. “If not for the crowd, he would have gone scot-free.”
The truck was later impounded, but VDM expressed concerns about attempts to conceal its identity. “By the time I went to check, the number plate had already been removed. That is not an accident, that is an attempt to cover up,” he alleged.
He further disclosed that individuals allegedly linked to Dangote had reached out to Fina for negotiations in Lagos. During the meeting, demands such as overseas medical treatment for Ruth, scholarships for her children, and financial compensation were reportedly tabled.
However, VDM said communication with Fina became strained after she told him that the company’s representatives no longer wanted his involvement. “They told her they were scared of me and wanted only her and the lawyer. From that moment, things changed,” he claimed.
During a subsequent visit to Ruth’s hospital in Urua, Edo State, VDM said he discovered another young woman who had allegedly been abandoned there for 11 months after being hit by another Dangote truck. “That was shocking,” he said. “It means Ruth’s case is not isolated. This is a pattern.”
The activist condemned what he called the company’s failure to take responsibility. “Dangote cannot continue to destroy lives and walk away. If Ruth dies, the people of Edo will not take it lightly,” he warned.
As of the time of filing this story, the Dangote Group had not issued any official statement addressing the allegations.