{"id":121692,"date":"2025-08-28T15:48:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=121692"},"modified":"2025-08-28T15:48:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:48:19","slug":"vdm-threatens-shutdown-of-dangote-operations-in-edo-if-ruth-dies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/vdm-threatens-shutdown-of-dangote-operations-in-edo-if-ruth-dies\/","title":{"rendered":"VDM Threatens Shutdown of Dangote Operations in Edo if Ruth Dies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis is pure wickedness and negligence,\u201d VDM declared in a video posted on his X handle on Thursday, \u201cIf anything happens to Ruth, we will ensure Dangote operations in Edo State are shut down. This is not a threat, it\u2019s a promise.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The incident has since ignited outrage on social media, with many accusing the company of negligence and a cover-up.<\/div>\n
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According to VDM, Ruth\u2019s sister, Fina, first reached out in distress, alleging that the truck driver attempted to escape but was apprehended by bystanders. \u201cPeople caught the driver trying to run away,\u201d she told VDM. \u201cIf not for the crowd, he would have gone scot-free.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The truck was later impounded, but VDM expressed concerns about attempts to conceal its identity. \u201cBy 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,\u201d he alleged.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n
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However, VDM said communication with Fina became strained after she told him that the company\u2019s representatives no longer wanted his involvement. \u201cThey told her they were scared of me and wanted only her and the lawyer. From that moment, things changed,\u201d he claimed.<\/div>\n
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During a subsequent visit to Ruth\u2019s 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. \u201cThat was shocking,\u201d he said. \u201cIt means Ruth\u2019s case is not isolated. This is a pattern.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The activist condemned what he called the company\u2019s failure to take responsibility. \u201cDangote cannot continue to destroy lives and walk away. If Ruth dies, the people of Edo will not take it lightly,\u201d he warned.<\/div>\n
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As of the time of filing this story, the Dangote Group had not issued any official statement addressing the allegations.<\/div>\n
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