Nigeria witnessed a rare show of civic unity over the weekend as the Ratel Movement, founded by activist Martins Vincent Otse known widely as VeryDarkMan, held its first nationwide cleanup exercise. The campaign, named after the fearless honey badger, kicked off simultaneously across major cities with hundreds of volunteers stepping out to sweep streets, clear waste and revive neglected public spaces.

The turnout was strongest in Lagos where crowds gathered early at multiple locations to begin the cleanup. Public figures Jojo and Jarvis joined volunteers as they moved through key streets. Many participants said they showed up because they believed ordinary citizens also have a role to play in addressing the country’s persistent sanitation challenges.

Strong Turnouts in Abuja and Port Harcourt

Abuja recorded one of the most impactful moments of the day as Gwarimpa residents worked together to clear a long standing dump site that many described as an eyesore. Volunteers formed human chains to load debris into trucks, while others swept road edges and removed blocked drains.

Port Harcourt also delivered a strong showing with what observers described as a massive turnout. Residents moved in coordinated groups, chanting motivational lines and encouraging passersby to join in. Several people expressed hope that the exercise would become a sustained practice and help reduce the environmental degradation affecting the city.

A Movement Built on Civic Responsibility

The Ratel Movement has positioned itself as a people driven initiative that encourages Nigerians to take ownership of their communities. The idea behind the monthly cleanup is to fill critical gaps in everyday sanitation and spark a renewed culture of responsibility.

Participants said they appreciated the practical style of the campaign which focuses on direct action rather than long speeches. Many first time volunteers noted that seeing fellow citizens working together motivated them to return for future editions.

For VDM, the founder, the success of the first nationwide exercise signals the potential for bigger environmental and civic projects. Supporters believe the movement could grow into one of the largest grassroots community action groups in the country.

As the day ended, streets across Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja looked visibly cleaner and residents praised the sense of community spirit that the exercise inspired. The Ratel Movement has already announced that the cleanup will hold monthly, and expectations are rising as more Nigerians express interest in joining the next one.