Social media stars throw punches at each other while boarding flight in Nigeria
This is the dramatic moment social media influencers exchanged punches while boarding a flight in Nigeria.
The clash occurred on United Nigeria Airlines flight UN0523 between online star Matins Otse, known as Very Dark Man (VDM), and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, on Monday.
Airline spokesman Chibuike Uloka said the confrontation erupted during boarding at Asaba International Airport that morning.
Footage shows the pair trading blows in the aisle of the Airbus A320 as holidaymakers looked on in disbelief.
Some passengers stepped in to try and separate the pair, who were locked in a tight clinch.
Uloka said: ‘In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation.
‘Both passengers were de-boarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members.’
The two remain in the custody of authorities, while the flight continued to Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport, departing Asaba at 9:47 am and arriving at 10:33 am local time.
This is the shocking moment social media influencers exchanged punches while boarding a flight in Nigeria. Footage shows the pair trading blows in the aisle of the Airbus A320 as holidaymakers looked on in disbelief
The clash occurred on United Nigeria Airlines flight UN0523 between online star Matins Otse, known as Very Dark Man (VDM), and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, on Monday
Airline spokesman Chibuike Uloka said the confrontation erupted during boarding at Asaba International Airport that morning. Some passengers stepped in to try and separate the pair, who were locked in a tight clinch
The cause of the altercation between VDM and Mr Jollof has not been confirmed, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it will investigate the incident.
Earlier this year, the NCAA temporarily barred musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as KWAM1, from flying due to alleged misconduct.
The ban was later lifted, and he was appointed an aviation ambassador.
In another incident in August, a runway dispute erupted on an Ibom Air flight when an aeroplane passenger slapped a flight attendant after she was asked ‘to turn her phone off’ before being dragged away by staff.
The young woman’s violent outburst happened in August on a domestic flight from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, to the town of Uyo around 400 miles away.
The passenger was asked by cabin crew on the Ibom Air aircraft to turn off her phone while the plane was taxiing to the runway.
The request was made as switched-on electronic devices can interfere with aircraft communication and navigation systems at key stages of flight like take-off.
It helps flight crew to maintain contact with air traffic control and avoid any distractions that could jeopardise passengers’ safety.
But the woman asked to turn her mobile off is said to have ignored their request and refused, insisting she could simply keep it in flight mode instead.
Amid the ruckus, the pilot refused to continue the journey and turned back to the terminal at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Dramatic footage shows the staff member saying calmly: ‘She is hitting me. She is f***ing hitting me.’
The woman was frogmarched out of her seat to the front of the plane where her anger soon boiled over as she struck a flight attendant as they stood in the doorway.
She stands completely still, with her hand up to protect her face from further attacks, as the woman continues her tirade, shouting: ‘What did you do?’
Staff can be heard speaking into radios, apparently asking for further assistance before the woman dons her jacket and is removed from the plane with her luggage.
The out of control passenger has to be restrained by ground staff and security guards, who quickly surround her on the tarmac.
She swings a small leather handbag at them at one point, as they all put out their hands to stop it hitting them.
As the scuffle continues, she grapples with a wig, which appears to have come loose during the chaos.
The woman yells and swears at airport officials, before lashing out at them too.
They are forced to escort her on to a shuttle bus to de-escalate the situation, where she continues to struggle with them.
Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the confrontation came after the passenger refused to follow crew instructions.
The official from the aviation regulatory body issued an urgent reminder to all travellers to listen to staff’s requests.