Nigerian activist Harrison Gwamnishu has issued a public apology following allegations that he diverted ₦5 million from a ransom raised to secure the release of a kidnapped couple in Edo State.
Recall that Gwamnishu, who is widely known for his involvement in efforts to rescue kidnap victims, was arrested in December 2025 after being accused of taking part of the ransom money. He was later granted bail on December 19, 2025, by an Edo State High Court.
Following his release, several individuals, including popular social media critic VeryDarkMan, accused Gwamnishu of collecting funds from people to assist with resolving cases but failing to fulfil his promises.
Reacting to the growing controversy, Gwamnishu took to Instagram on Saturday to admit that he had been negligent in properly accounting for funds entrusted to him while handling certain kidnap-related cases.
The activist acknowledged his mistakes and appealed for patience from those affected, assuring them that refunds would be made.
In his words, Gwamnishu apologised to everyone he may have wronged through his actions, posts, or conduct in the course of his duties, stressing that he takes full responsibility for his errors.
He specifically mentioned a woman who reportedly sent him ₦600,000, admitting that he acted without proper communication and apologised for breaching her trust. He also addressed another individual, Franklin, confirming that he had begun repaying the money involved in that case and pledged to complete the refund regardless of the difficulty.
Gwamnishu further urged anyone who felt wronged by him to reach out directly, promising that all outstanding issues would be resolved.
He explained that his decision to apologise publicly was influenced by the withdrawal of support from some people who previously stood by him during his detention, which he described as a wake-up call.
The activist also extended an apology to VeryDarkMan, expressing respect for the critic and acknowledging his contributions to speaking up for Nigerians. Gwamnishu admitted that while he had attempted to address past complaints raised by VeryDarkMan, he may not have managed them effectively.