A United Nigeria Airlines flight from Asaba to Lagos on Monday, 17 November 2025, took an unexpected turn when social media stars Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and comedian Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, aka Mr Jollof, engaged in a physical altercation during boarding.
The incident, which quickly went viral, stemmed from simmering online tensions that escalated mid-flight. Passengers looked on in shock as the confrontation unfolded, causing delays and drawing immediate attention on social media.
How VDM and Mr Jollof Apologised
Crew members promptly intervened, de-boarding both men and handing them over to airport security. In the aftermath, both VDM and Mr Jollof issued public apologies.
Mr Jollof stated he was “only defending myself” and expressed regret for inconveniencing other passengers:
“It will never happen again. To my lovely wife, I know you’re proud of me. To my kids, I am sorry; Daddy will never do this again. To my boss, this isn’t my kind of person.”
VDM also apologised, acknowledging his irresponsibility:
“A lot of people on that flight had important things to do, but because of my actions, their flight was delayed. Some passengers might have had medical emergencies, and others had business contracts to sign. I sincerely apologise.”
He extended his apology to the pilot and flight crew, calling the incident entirely avoidable and pledging it would not happen again in any public or shared space.
United Nigeria Airlines accepted both apologies and reiterated its commitment to ensuring passenger safety. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is reportedly considering sanctions, which could include jail terms or no-fly orders.
Celebrity Behaviour and Public Safety in Aviation
The VDM and Mr Jollof incident highlights the recurring tension between celebrity influence and aviation safety in Nigeria. Earlier this year, Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson refused to turn off her phone mid-flight, leading to a confrontation. Similarly, Fuji singer KWAM 1 made headlines for obstructing a taxiing plane, raising serious safety concerns.
As social media amplifies every in-flight incident, aviation authorities continue to emphasise strict adherence to safety protocols, regardless of celebrity status.
