United Nigeria Airlines has turned over well-known online personalities Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan, VDM, and entertainer Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, known as Mr Jollof, to airport security on Monday after a confrontation broke out while they were boarding a scheduled Asaba–Lagos flight.
The clash prompted the airline’s crew to step in, ultimately leading to both men being deboarded to keep the flight safe and orderly.
The development was revealed in a signed statement shared on the airline’s official X account on Monday, where United Nigeria Airlines explained how its crew managed the incident.
According to the statement, “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 noted that its team acted promptly and in line with global procedures.
“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.”
Reiterating its safety priorities, the airline added, “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. After all standard procedures were completed, the flight departed safely while the passengers involved in the altercation were still with the authorities.”
The carrier also reassured travellers of its dedication to upholding strong operational standards.
“We remain firmly committed to providing a safe, respectful, and secure travel experience across our network.”
The confrontation between the two well-known Nigerian online figures drew public attention on Monday morning at Asaba International Airport.
While the exact cause of the dispute has not yet been determined, it follows weeks of online friction between the two. VDM and Mr Jollof have recently exchanged public criticisms, responding to each other’s commentary on various social issues.
Their back-and-forth has attracted significant interest, with supporters from both sides frequently sparring in comment sections across social media platforms.
As of the time of reporting, attempts to contact the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the agency went unanswered.