What began as another day of online noise quickly spiralled into something far more unsettling, proving once again that in the theatre of Nigerian social media, the script can change without warning.
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, social media commentator Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, stepped into the spotlight with claims that fellow influencer Mukoro Michelle, popularly known as King Mitchy had taken an unprovoked swipe at him. Her cryptic post, which warned against “sitting with a ring light everyday to bring people down”, carried the kind of subtle menace that rarely stays subtle for long.
VeryDarkMan, clearly unwilling to let sleeping dogs lie, suggested that Mitchy’s confidence stemmed from her alleged proximity to powerful figures, particularly Seyi Tinubu.
King Mitchy responded with the calm certainty of someone accustomed to public scrutiny. Her philanthropy, which includes repairing schools and supporting struggling Nigerians, had indeed attracted backing from notable names, including Seyi Tinubu, music executive Don Jazzy, and football star Victor Osimhen.
Supporters of VeryDarkMan, fiercely loyal and notoriously relentless, descended on a business account linked to Mitchy, reporting it until it disappeared from Instagram’s digital landscape.
The disappearance of the account was followed by disturbing developments. Mitchy’s management shared alarming claims of emotional distress and a reported attempt at self harm involving a disinfectant. Panic spread quickly after a post falsely declared her dead, only for relief and confusion to follow hours later.
VeryDarkMan, in a move that blurred the line between protest and parody, posted his own video mimicking the same dangerous act, even going as far as announcing his own death in a dramatic display that left many questioning how far content creators are willing to go for relevance.
The ripple effect was immediate and disturbing. Other creators began imitating the behaviour, turning a dangerous stunt into a viral trend. The disinfectant brand Hypo was forced to release a public statement, reminding Nigerians that its product was never intended for human consumption. The fact that such a warning was necessary spoke volumes about the times.
Seyi Tinubu, whose name had been dragged repeatedly into the chaos, eventually broke his silence. He clarified that his interaction with Mitchy had been limited and rooted purely in support for her charitable work. He firmly rejected any attempt to involve him in the feud, choosing distance over drama.
While some concerned Nigerians are asking why a content creator will be supported by the son of a sitting president to repair schools when there is an appointed minister of education, others are calling on the authorities to curb the subtle message of intake of harmful substances for the sake of content.