VDM and Mr Jollof Handed to Airport Security After Onboard Fight

United Nigeria Airlines on Monday handed social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi (Mr Jollof) over to airport security after a confrontation that disrupted boarding on the Asaba–Lagos flight.

The airline said in a statement posted on its official X account that the scuffle occurred during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of November 17, prompting immediate intervention from crew members. Staff were said to have acted under global aviation safety rules by separating both men, removing them from the aircraft and transferring them to airport security for questioning. The carrier noted that the flight later departed without delay while the two men remained with authorities.

According to United Nigeria Airlines, the decision to deboard the pair was consistent with its “zero-tolerance policy” for behaviour that threatens the safety or comfort of passengers or crew. The airline also assured travellers of its continued commitment to safe operations.

Witnesses say the clash follows weeks of online sparring between the two public figures, who have frequently traded accusations and commentary on social media. Although the exact trigger of the airport confrontation remains unclear, the tension between their fan bases had been building online in the days leading up to the incident.

Hours after the airline’s statement, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority reacted, describing the behaviour of both men as unacceptable. The Authority’s Director of Consumer Affairs, Michael Achimugu, said in a post on X that the conduct of the two influencers posed a risk to other passengers and violated aviation rules governing orderliness on board an aircraft. He said the Authority had requested a formal incident report from the airline and that the matter would be reviewed and forwarded to the legal department for further action once all details are confirmed.

Achimugu added that the NCAA is seeking clarity on whether the confrontation happened on board after takeoff or during ground operations, a distinction that could attract separate levels of sanction. He noted that the incident undermines the aviation sector’s ongoing campaign against disruptive behaviour.

As of press time, efforts to reach the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for additional clarification were unsuccessful, with calls and messages yet to be returned.