The morning of Monday, November 17, should have been uneventful. Passengers on United Nigeria Airlines Flight UN0523 were settling into their seats, adjusting luggage, scrolling through phones, preparing for the short hop from Asaba to Lagos. But just a few rows apart sat two men whose names had already ignited countless online battles: Freedom Atsepoyi, famously known as Mr Jollof, and Martins Vincent Otse, the fiery self-styled activist called VeryDarkMan (VDM).
Within minutes, a normal flight would turn into one of the most talked-about brawls of the year, forcing aviation authorities to intervene and pushing netizens into a debate about taking sides.
But long before a punch, or a bite landed, the path to that confrontation had been paved online.
Two Men, Two Public Identities
To understand the explosion in the aircraft aisle, one must first understand the men who clashed.
VeryDarkMan: The Activist Who Thrives in Fire
At 31, Martins Vincent Otse has become a brand synonymous with confrontation. He is part activist, part whistleblower, and part digital storm. Known simply as VDM, he has built his name by refusing to look away from anything he perceives as deception, corruption, or hypocrisy, whether coming from influencers, pastors, politicians, or celebrities.
His rise has been rapid, fueled by social media videos where he speaks with a mix of raw conviction, streetwise confidence, and a flair for controversy. For many young Nigerians, he represents a new form of civic outrage which is unfiltered, unpolished, and unafraid. For others, he is reckless, aggressive, and at times dangerously provocative.
His activism has not come without consequences. He has had his fair share of arrests, investigations, and frequent clashes with public figures. Still, his voice remains one of the most dominant on Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Mr Jollof: The Comedian-Turned-Commentator
Freedom Atsepoyi, known to millions as Mr Jollof, is another kind of online heavyweight. Born in Delta State, he rose to fame through comedy and social commentary, mixing humour with political opinions, lifestyle conversations, and cultural banter.
Where VDM is fiery and combative, Mr Jollof is loud, humorous, yet capable of stinging criticism. Over the years, he has transformed from a comic personality into a commentator with influence in politics, entertainment, and business.
He is no stranger to controversy either. From political realignments that sparked backlash to personal confessions about being “used” by politicians, to surviving kidnapping, yet he has always maintained a public image of resilience and self-assuredness.
The duo being influencers with large followings, strong personalities and being accustomed to having the last word, their collision was almost inevitable.
Where The Clash Began: From Online Shots To Personal Wounds
Long before the confrontation on the aircraft, the feud between Mr Jollof and VeryDarkMan had been brewing in the unruly, hyper-reactive world of Nigerian social media. What seemed like an impulsive mid-air fight was actually the culmination of weeks of simmering hostility. They had previously traded accusations online with their pride getting wounded repeatedly. The two personalities were pushed into a rivalry neither was willing to de-escalate.
The clash began indirectly, when VeryDarkMan intensified his ongoing campaign against Nigerian influencers whom he accused of misleading followers, promoting questionable products, and generally operating without accountability. His approach was blunt and unsparing. He named names, called out practices, and demanded transparency in a tone that oscillated between activism and provocation.
In one of these critiques, VDM in 2024 turned his attention to Mr Jollof, questioning the comedian’s pattern of endorsements and political commentary, and suggesting that he shifted positions depending on personal benefit.
For VDM’s growing audience, this was typical and expected. But for Mr Jollof whose public image had already weathered its share of political controversy, the comments felt targeted, dismissive, and designed to undermine his credibility.
What made matters worse was their shared temperament. Both men have personalities built for virality, by being outspoken and unfiltered in their approach. As the exchange escalated, the tone evolved from criticism to ridicule, with VDM not only questioning Jollof’s choices but mocking his perceived inconsistencies, claiming he was unreliable and easily swayed. These remarks carried the sting of personal attack, and the engagement they generated online only fueled them further.
The breaking point came when the conversation drifted toward Mr Jollof’s family, specifically his wife, who VDM claimed was involved with “yahoo boys”(internet fraudsters). The fact that VDM referenced her at all crossed a line for Jollof, who has repeatedly emphasized that his family is off-limits. For a man who tolerates jokes, banter, and even public criticism, this was an unforgivable breach. At that moment, the feud stopped being about content creation or industry ethics and became something deeply personal.
Feeling cornered and defamed, Mr Jollof escalated the matter through legal means, filing a substantial defamation suit demanding N500m in damages. Instead of calming the situation, the lawsuit intensified it. VDM insisted he had simply spoken the truth, and he responded with videos of his own.
He doubled down on his criticisms and adding a new layer to the tension by alleging that Jollof had once threatened to slap him if they ever met in person. This allegation became the psychological seed that shaped VDM’s mindset when he later saw Jollof on that aircraft. To him, the encounter represented a threat he intended to confront directly.
Meanwhile, both men’s followers poured gasoline on the fire. Comment sections became battlegrounds, feeding each man’s sense of being wronged.
On VDM’s page, fans cheered him on to “expose” Jollof further. On Jollof’s page, supporters urged him not to let VDM embarrass him.
By the time they coincidentally boarded the same flight, the feud had already reached a point of no return. Words had been exchanged, families had been referenced, lawsuits had been filed, threats had been recalled, and online audiences had chosen sides.
The aircraft cabin did not create the conflict; it merely forced both men into the same confined space after months of escalating animosity. What followed next was almost predictable for those who knew the duo had underlying issues.
The Fight In The Sky: When Online Beef Turned Physical
The tension was immediate.
Passengers recount seeing VDM who was seated in row 4, stride toward Mr Jollof in seat 7, shortly after boarding. In a low but firm voice, he reminded Mr Jollof of the 2024 threat he claimed the comedian once made: “You said if you saw me, you would slap me. I’m here, do it.”
Initially, Jollof ignored the provocation, prompting VDM to return to him seat. Not satisfied, VDM came back, persisting until he was able to ruffle Jollof’s feathers. He added: ”Today you will slap me… I go slap you come down from this plane.”
Accounts vary on who struck first, as is typical in such clashes but VDM insists the comedian threw the first punch. In a video clip that captured the scene, the duo could be seen raising their voices as their bodies tensed, and before long, the aisle became a battleground, with both of them throwing punches at each other.
One catchy moment amid the chaos was when something unexpected happened. It was when Mr Jollof allegedly bit VDM on the chest, leaving a deep imprint on his tattoo, and the latter retaliating with a headbutt.
VDM later revealed the injury online, calling it the work of “teeth wey no brush,” a comment that instantly went viral.
Back to their fight, as the struggle intensified, passengers flinched, with some screaming in shock and others trying to separate them. In-flight altercations are rare and always dangerous. Flight attendants reportedly rushed in, trying to wedge themselves between the two men as they grappled.
A passenger later shared that comedian FunnyBone was among those who attempted to separate them.
Once the crew was able to restore control, there was no question about what needed to happen.
Both men were deboarded and handed over to security personnel at the airport.
The flight then departed without them. See clip of the brawl below:
The Fallout: Regulators, Public Opinion & Reputational Damage
The incident rapidly moved from ordinary gist on social media to national conversation.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) condemned the fight as “unacceptable and unlawful,” signaling that both men might face:
• Severe fines
• Temporary or permanent flight bans
• Criminal charges
The NCAA through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, emphasized an absolute zero-tolerance policy for unruly passenger behavior, especially from influential public figures whose actions affect the public.
Also, the airline released a firm statement. It stated that the crew acted according to protocol, adding that the altercation posed a safety risk, and the matter had been turned over to authorities.
Formal sanctions are expected once the airline’s official report is submitted and the NCAA’s investigation is complete. The Director also expressed particular disappointment that both
individuals, as influencers with millions of followers, were “partners in educating their followers to avoid unruly behaviour,” making their actions “even more shameful”.
Online reactions came fast and loud. Some netizens mocked both men for acting like “teenage rivals.” Others sided with their preferred influencer.
However, many condemned the behaviour entirely, calling it “embarrassing,” “irresponsible,” and “a disgrace to the country.”
The same public that had amplified their feud was now questioning the direction of influencer culture.
The Aftermath: What They Said After
Once on the ground, both men took their stories to the platforms that made them famous.
VDM released a video showing the bite wound on his chest, explaining that the confrontation wasn’t random, but was the climax of months of harassment, threats, and online attacks.
He celebrated his ‘victory’, claiming to be defending himself and didn’t regret confronting Jollof. He also said he believes he could have been badly hurt if he had not stood his ground. He wrote on Instagram:
“MR JOLLOF YOU BIT me, your fellow man haba JOLLOF WOULD HAVE KPAI ME IF I DIDNT DEFEND MYSELF, GOD SAVED ME.”
VDM added:
“What happened yesterday was avoidable. I was not supposed to do that. I am really really sorry. I want to apologize to the passengers. It was total irresponsibility from my end. I apologize to the people that look up to me and to those that were disappointed. I cannot guarantee that it will not happen again, I can only guarantee it will not happen in the plane, on the bus or a public place. I am really really sorry. I f*ck up. To the pilot and the flight attendants, I am really really sorry.”
Firing back, Mr Jollof first response was visual and calculated. He appeared in a video on Tuesday, November 18, showing his unbruised face, after he was released from custody:
“If you like gym, it’s not by size.“
In another video, the comedian apologized to passengers who were distressed by the fight and his family before moving on to describe what transpired aboard the plane. In words:
“I want to use this medium to sincerely apologize to NCAA, United Nigeria Airline, the passengers. I was only defending myself. You guys saw what happened. I am very sorry if I delayed your appointment. I’m very sorry. Pardon me. I am not that kind of person, it will never happen again. And to my lovely wife, I know you are proud of me. And to my kids, I’m sorry, daddy will never do this again…”
“VDM laid a false allegation on my wife which he cannot prove in court till date.
When VDM entered the plane, he was looking at me but I ignored. He went to his seat and then said ‘that slap you said you will slap me, come and slap me now, let God punish your Papa.’ I didn’t answer.
Some passengers started hailing him, he then stood up and said ‘If you get down from this plane, I go slap you. I fit comot from here now and slap you.’ I told him to behave himself. He left his seat(4F) to come to me who was on 7B.
My right hand did justice to him. VDM’s body is like water, very soft. I punched his face and chook my finger in his eye to defend myself. He was restricting my airflow and I needed to pull out so I bit him. After I bit him, he released his hands and I gave him another punch. A small child who was not trained by his mum will be trained by us.”
Mr. Jollof also claimed that he was under attack and provocation, stressing that he was only defending himself. He captioned the video:
“PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT A VIOLENT PERSON AND I PROMISE SUCH CHARACTER WILL NEVER OCCUR AGAIN 😢 ALTHOUGH I WAS UNDER ATTACK AND I DEFENDED MYSELF 💯 PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT ✅.”
Conclusion
In the end, the fight was bigger than the two men involved.
It was a mirror held up to the world of digital celebrity. It showed how they turned a public space into a battleground. Their impulsive actions disrupted a flight, endangered passengers, and triggered national regulatory involvement.
As the NCAA continues its investigation and the public debates who was right or wrong, it seems the clash between the two is far from over.
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