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We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Jorge Aguilar

Two influencers decide to settle a beef in the middle of a plane aisle, force the airline to follow global aviation safety protocols

Two massive social media stars decided the best place to settle their personal beef was right in the middle of an Airbus A320 aisle while boarding a flight in Nigeria. The shocking moment unfolded recently on a United Nigeria Airlines flight, transforming the narrow space into a full-blown boxing ring as passengers and crew scrambled to break up the chaos.

The stars involved were Matins Otse, who you probably know better as Very Dark Man (VDM), and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, known online as Mr Jollof. The intense altercation erupted during boarding at Asaba International Airport on a Monday flight headed to Lagos. Footage of the incident shows heated words being exchanged before the situation quickly spiraled into a physical fight, forcing other holidaymakers to try to shield themselves from the brawl. Sometimes it seems like the best spot on the plane is away from the fights.

Thankfully, the airline staff acted fast. United Nigeria Airlines spokesman Chibuike Uloka confirmed that the influencers locked horns during the boarding process. According to The Sun, Uloka was keen to stress how quickly the situation was handled, stating: “In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation.”

When they say on sight, they mean it

The airline didn’t waste any time removing the disruptive passengers, which is exactly what you want to see if you’re stuck on that flight. Uloka confirmed that both VDM and Mr Jollof were immediately removed from the aircraft. He added: “Both passengers were de-boarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members.”

The sparring duo was taken into custody while the flight resumed normal service. It departed Asaba at 9:47 AM and arrived in Lagos just under an hour later at 10:33 AM. Nobody knows exactly what sparked the scrap between VDM and Mr Jollof, but the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that it will investigate the incident thoroughly.

Following the event, Mr Jollof took to his Instagram account, where he has over one million followers, to offer a public apology. He directed the apology to the NCAA, United Nigeria Airlines, and all the fellow passengers who were delayed because of the fight. He made sure to stress that the incident was completely out of character for him, claiming he only started swinging in self-defense.

He clearly felt terrible about the inconvenience, saying, “I am very sorry if I delayed [my fellow passengers’] appointments. Pardon me.” He promised his audience that this type of outburst won’t happen again, stating, “This isn’t my kind of person. It will never happen again.” He also offered a heartfelt apology to his family, adding, “To my lovely wife, I know you’re proud of me. To my kids, I am sorry, Daddy will never do this again.”

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