…NCAA Promises Legal Action
United Nigeria Airlines has confirmed a physical altercation between social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkman (VDM), and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport.
In a statement, Chibuike Uloka, the airline’s Public Relations Officer, said the crew acted “immediately and professionally” in line with global aviation safety protocols to de-escalate the situation.
“Both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members. They were subsequently handed over to airport security for further investigation,” Uloka said.
“After all standard procedures were completed, the flight departed safely while the passengers involved in the altercation were still with the authorities.”
The airline added it maintains a “zero‑tolerance policy for any conduct that threatens the security or well‑being of passengers or crew,” and reaffirmed its commitment “to providing a safe, respectful, and secure travel experience across its network.”
Video clips circulating on social media show VDM and Mr Jollof exchanging blows in the aisle of the aircraft, while other passengers attempted to intervene.
According to VDM, the confrontation stemmed from weeks of online exchanges between him and Mr Jollof.
He claimed that upon seeing Mr Jollof in person on the plane, he told him: “Today, you will slap me.”
He further alleged that Mr Jollof struck first, leading him to retaliate — and that Mr Jollof even bit him, joking that his tattoo was nearly ruined by “teeth that had not been brushed.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has condemned the incident, with its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, promising that “both individuals will face the full strength of the law.”
In a further response, Achimugu stated that the NCAA has tasked its officers to investigate the conduct of the airline’s security personnel, the pilot, and other personnel.
He stated: “There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law. It is even more shameful when one considers that both of them are partners in educating their millions of followers to avoid unruly behaviour.”
He also noted the NCAA “does not have prosecutorial powers … but would surely advise the airline to blacklist the passengers … and write the Attorney General of the Federation … and the Inspector General of Police … to prosecute the unruly passengers.”
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