Social media personalities Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, are facing regulatory sanctions after engaging in a physical confrontation aboard an Asaba–Lagos flight on Monday.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) condemned the incident in a post on X, describing the clash as “unacceptable behaviour” that endangered both passengers and crew.
“There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” the spokesperson wrote, stressing that the altercation violated aviation safety protocols.
He expressed disappointment over the influencers’ conduct, noting that both men often position themselves as advocates of responsible behaviour online.
“It is even more shameful when one considers both of them partners in educating their millions of followers to avoid unruly behaviour,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the airline involved is expected to file an official report to the NCAA, after which legal action will be taken.
“The actions of both men put the safety of all other passengers and the crew at risk. It also put the safety of the aircraft at risk,” he stated.
He further emphasised the regulator’s ongoing efforts to curb disruptive acts in the aviation sector.
“The NCAA has exerted a lot of energy and resources in educating passengers about the dangers of unruly behaviour and its consequences,” he said.
VDM later explained that the confrontation stemmed from weeks of online exchanges with Mr Jollof. According to him, upon sighting the comedian onboard, he approached him and said, “Today, you will slap me,” referencing their heated back-and-forth on social media.
