United Nigeria Airlines on Monday handed over two popular social media personalities, Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and Freedom Atsepoyi, widely called Mr Jollof, to airport security officials after both men were involved in a fight during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at the Asaba International Airport, Delta State.
A video of the altercation went viral earlier in the day, showing the two influencers exchanging words and attempting to fight inside the aircraft while other passengers looked on. The incident quickly sparked public outrage and renewed questions about behaviour on flights, safety standards, and rising indiscipline among public figures.
In a statement on Monday, the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed that the altercation took place during boarding and that the cabin crew acted immediately to calm the situation.
Airline: Safety Comes First
According to Uloka, the airline followed global aviation safety rules by stepping in to prevent the situation from escalating.
The statement reads:
“United Nigeria Airlines confirms that an altercation occurred between two passengers, identified as Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkman) and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi (Mr Jollof), during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of November 17, 2025.
“In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally 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.
“United Nigeria Airlines places the highest priority on safety and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that threatens the security or well-being of passengers or crew.”
The airline added that the flight eventually departed safely without the two men on board. As of press time, airport security agencies had not yet announced whether any arrests or further sanctions would follow.
Background: Public Figures and Past Aviation Behaviour
Monday’s incident comes at a time when aviation safety and passenger conduct have been widely debated in Nigeria. In recent months, several high-profile Nigerians have been involved in controversial incidents on flights.
Early this year, famous musician KWAM 1 faced public criticism after being accused of obstructing flight operations, though no strict sanctions followed. Some Nigerians believe the failure to punish earlier offenders has encouraged a culture of indiscipline on flights.
Several Nigerians reacting online drew a direct link between the past incidents and Monday’s altercation.
A social media user wrote, “Nothing will happen. Nigeria is already a country of anything goes. If they had sanctioned KWAM1 with a jail term, others won’t even think of fighting inside an aircraft.”
Another commenter said: “Many of them think everything is content. If there were strong penalties before, we won’t be seeing this.”
VDM and Mr Jollof: Public Figures with Large Followings
Both men involved in the incident are well-known online personalities.
VeryDarkMan, who has built a reputation for controversial commentaries and confrontation, is no stranger to clashes, both online and offline. Analysts note that he has been involved in several public disputes in recent months. His lawyer, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, had previously warned him about his conduct after VDM was linked to another disagreement in an airport environment.
On the other hand, Mr Jollof, a comedian and political commentator, has a long history of online arguments, including public spats with celebrities and footballer Victor Osimhen. Some Nigerians believe his confrontational style may have contributed to Monday’s clash.
Reactions: Nigerians Express Disappointment
The fight triggered hundreds of reactions on social media, especially on Nairaland, where many Nigerians condemned the behaviour of the two influencers.
One user described them as “two online hustlers fighting for attention.” Another said: “Children and immature men making noise everywhere.”
Some Nigerians expressed concern about the signal incidents like this send about discipline and responsibility among public figures.
A user wrote: “They will come online and talk like role models but look at them fighting inside plane. Tufiakwa.”
Another person added: “VDM reminds me of Portable. He seems unstable. One day he will end up in jail over something small.”
Others doubted whether the incident was spontaneous or staged for attention.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this was planned. Anything to trend these days,” one commenter wrote.
A few Nigerians, however, blamed the broader culture of impunity in the country, saying the aviation authorities often lack the will to enforce strict punishment.
Public Safety Concerns
Aviation experts warn that any form of physical confrontation inside an aircraft, even during boarding, poses serious risks to flight safety. Airline crew members are trained to prevent aggressive behaviour, and global standards require immediate removal of disruptive passengers.
A retired aviation security officer told our correspondent:
“Any threat to safety, even a verbal fight, is treated seriously. If a fight happens inside an aircraft, the airline is right to deboard the passengers. Such passengers may face fines, temporary flight bans, or even prosecution, depending on the severity.”
What Happens Next?
It remains unclear whether the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) or the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will take additional action. The NCAA has previously warned that it would clamp down on unruly behaviour but has been criticised for inconsistent enforcement.
With the growing influence of online personalities and content creators, many Nigerians believe the authorities must take a stronger stance to discourage future incidents.
As of Monday evening, neither VDM nor Mr Jollof had issued any public statements about the incident.
