The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has denounced the altercation between comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr. Jollof, and social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as Verydarkman, and threatened to punish both men for their actions on a Monday flight from Asaba to Lagos.
In a statement posted on 𝕏, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, called the altercation “unacceptable behavior” that put the passengers, crew, and aircraft in danger.
“On an aircraft, unruly behavior is not tolerated,” he declared. The full force of the law will be applied to both people.
The aviation authority was appalled that the two individuals, who frequently give lectures to their millions of followers on responsible behavior, were involved in such a violation.
He went on, “It is even more shameful when one considers both of them partners in teaching their millions of followers to avoid unruly behavior.”
He emphasized that the flight’s actions were against aviation safety regulations and added that the airline needed to report the incident in order to take further legal action.
“Both men’s actions endangered the crew’s and every other passenger’s safety. Additionally, it endangered the aircraft’s safety,” he continued.
Violence on an airplane is never justified by provocation or an online argument, the NCAA cautioned.
“The NCAA has put a lot of effort and resources into educating passengers about the dangers of unruly behavior and its consequences,” the NCAA claims.
“In this instance, there is no justification that makes the arguments acceptable, regardless of what caused them.”
The two celebrities’ long-running animosity on social media is said to have led to the confrontation. Soon after boarding, the altercation descended into violence, necessitating the intervention of passengers and cabin staff as mayhem erupted within the aircraft.
Verydarkman boasted about the encounter on Facebook after it happened, saying, “I don’t chop Jollof father for being inside the plane.” He bit me, man wey de bite.
According to the NCAA spokesperson, the authorities were expecting official information from the airline and crew members in question.
He reaffirmed that sanctions were unavoidable and promised to release a thorough statement after all reports were examined.
