Social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, popularly called Mr Jollof, may face criminal prosecution following their clash aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight on Monday. The altercation caused commotion on the Asaba–Lagos flight after an argument between both men escalated into a physical fight.
A viral video showed crew members and passengers hurrying to intervene as the two men exchanged blows on the aircraft. Confirming the incident, Verydarkman posted a video on his Facebook page in which he claimed he had confronted Mr Jollof during the altercation. His post read, “I don chop Jollof father for inside the plane. He bite me, man, wey de bite,” insisting that he had engaged the comedian.
Although the cause of the altercation had yet to be determined, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority condemned the conduct, stating that both men would face sanctions. In a post on X, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the behaviour of the two public figures violated aviation safety rules.
Achimugu wrote, “There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” adding that their actions were “even more shameful” considering their roles in urging followers to behave responsibly. He added that the NCAA expected the airline to officially report the matter, after which legal and regulatory steps would commence.
He said the conduct of the two men endangered the safety of passengers, crew members, and the aircraft itself. He added that the regulator had repeatedly educated passengers about the dangers of unruly behaviour onboard aircraft. According to him, “In this case, no matter what led to the fracas, there is no excuse that makes it acceptable.”
Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Act, 2022, criminalises such actions. Section 84 stipulates that acts of violence on board an aircraft that could endanger its safety attract a minimum fine of N2 million or up to five years’ imprisonment or both. Section 85 adds that anyone who interferes with a crew member in a way that impedes duty performance may face a fine of up to N200,000 or a minimum of two months’ imprisonment, or both.
While the NCAA continues its assessment, VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof are likely to face fines or jail terms. Meanwhile, United Nigeria Airlines said its crew intervened and immediately handed both men over to airport security after they were removed from the aircraft to maintain safety. This was disclosed in a statement on the airline’s official X account on Monday.
The statement read, “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 17 November 2025.” The airline added that its crew responded promptly in line with global aviation safety protocols, deboarded both men, and handed them over to security officials for further investigation.
Reaffirming its safety policy, the airline stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward any conduct that threatens passenger or crew security. It noted that Flight UN0523 proceeded safely after standard procedures were completed, while the passengers involved in the altercation remained in the custody of authorities. The carrier assured travellers of its continued commitment to high operational standards.
The clash is believed to be an extension of weeks-long online hostilities between the two influencers. Incidents of unruly passenger behaviour, particularly physical altercations, have increased in the aviation sector in recent months, raising concerns among passengers and stakeholders who continue to call for deterrent measures.
