What began as a simmering online rivalry between two of Nigeria’s most outspoken social media personalities erupted into a full-scale physical altercation aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight on Monday morning, drawing swift condemnation from aviation authorities, passengers, and netizens alike. Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and comedian Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, aka Mr Jollof, were deboarded and handed over to airport security after trading blows during the boarding process of Flight UN0523 from Asaba International Airport to Lagos, marking a shocking low in their year-long digital feud.
The incident unfolded around 8:00 AM on November 17, 2025, as passengers prepared for takeoff. Eyewitness accounts and a now-viral 40-second video clip circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram captured the duo exchanging punches in the narrow confines of the aircraft cabin, with fellow travelers scrambling to intervene. The footage, first shared by Instablog9ja on X and viewed over 500,000 times within hours, shows VDM approaching Mr Jollof’s seat, exchanging heated words, and lunging forward—prompting Mr Jollof to retaliate. Shouts of “I go slap you!” echoed from VDM, audible over the din, as cabin crew rushed to separate the combatants. The disruption delayed the flight by approximately 45 minutes, forcing the airline to offload the pair for safety reasons.
This explosive encounter stems from a history of acrimonious exchanges dating back to October 2024, when VDM publicly accused Mr Jollof’s wife, Esinjemiyotan Atsepoyi, of infidelity and involvement with “Yahoo boys” (internet fraudsters), prompting her to file a N500 million defamation lawsuit against him. The online barbs escalated through memes, diss tracks, and live sessions, with Mr Jollof retaliating by mocking VDM’s activism and personal life. Their shared flight—coincidentally booked for the same route—proved to be the powder keg, transforming keyboard warrior rhetoric into real-world chaos.
United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the altercation in an official statement released later that day: “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. Following standard safety protocols, the individuals were deboarded and handed over to airport security for further handling. After all procedures were completed, the flight departed safely.” The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains paramount and is cooperating fully with investigators.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wasted no time in responding, with Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, declaring the behavior “unacceptable under any circumstances.” In a statement, the NCAA announced an immediate investigation into the breach of aviation security protocols, warning that both individuals face potential sanctions, including flight bans and fines. “No matter the provocation, violence aboard an aircraft endangers everyone on board. We will not tolerate such disruptions,” Achimugu said. Delta State Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Ossai Ovie Success, who witnessed the aftermath at Asaba Airport, lambasted the duo on Facebook: “I saw VeryDarkMan collecting beating from Mr Jollof this morning... They have been unboarded and arrested. I am really disappointed in both of them for fighting inside an aircraft when they should have done that on the roadside.”
Post-incident, VDM took to his Facebook page to boast about the confrontation, posting a video from outside the airport where he lifted his shirt to reveal alleged bite marks on his chest, courtesy of Mr Jollof. Laughing defiantly, he claimed, “I dealt with him proper—walahi, he bit me like a dog!” The clip, which garnered over 1 million views, further fueled the frenzy but drew backlash for glorifying the violence.
By evening, however, remorse appeared to set in for both parties. Mr Jollof broke his silence via an Instagram video, his face bruised and voice subdued: “I am not a violent person; I was just defending myself. I tender my deepest apologies to the NCAA, United Nigeria Airlines, the passengers, and my family. This should never have happened, and I regret the embarrassment caused.” He vowed to seek counseling and urged fans to “leave the drama online where it belongs.”
VDM followed suit on November 18 with a more candid apology video on Instagram, admitting his role in the escalation: “I acted really irresponsibly, and I’m sorry to everyone affected—the airline, passengers, and even Mr Jollof. I can’t guarantee it won’t happen again, but it won’t be on a plane, a bus, or in public. We need to do better.” Despite the contrition, he quipped about the bite marks, adding a layer of unresolved tension to his words.
The brawl has ignited a firestorm across social media, with #VDMvsMrJollof trending nationwide and amassing over 2 million mentions on X. Netizens were quick to condemn the spectacle, dubbing it “free WWE on a budget” and calling for lifetime bans from local flights. Comments ranged from @nacamoto_556’s “Aviation authorities suppose place ban on both parties” to @lucforce_lighting_electric’s “No be to do cho cho cho online, can you do it physically?! Support VDM.” Life coach Olusola Babatunde weighed in on X, criticizing VDM: “You confronted a man on a plane over online dramas? Least he could have done was ignore him.” Others, like @amagracie, dismissed both as “two overgrown shameless adults,” while a minority clamored for a “rematch” with betting odds.
This episode underscores the perils of unchecked online toxicity spilling into real life, particularly in confined public spaces like aircraft. As the NCAA’s probe unfolds—expected to conclude within weeks—the incident serves as a stark reminder for influencers to channel their platforms toward positivity rather than provocation. For VDM and Mr Jollof, once celebrated for their unfiltered commentary on social issues, the fallout could reshape their careers, with calls for accountability growing louder by the hour.
JUST IN: Mr Jollof speaks after f+ght with VDM, says he isn’t a v+olent person and only defended himself, noting that his lovely wife is proud of him, after his viral airplane f+ght with VDM.
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) November 18, 2025
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