The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Micheal Achimugu, has vowed to ensure that legal action is taken against Nigerian social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and comedian, Freedom Atsepoyi, aka Mr. Jollof, over their clash on board a local airline.
NPO Reported that a video of the duo exchanging punches on board a United Nigerian Airline flight in Asaba International Airport, Delta state, had on Monday went viral.
While some other passengers had intervened and separated VDM and Mr. Jollof, they were both deboarded by the airport officials and subsequently detained.
Meanwhile, the ugly incident had sparked mixed reactions from netizens who in series of comments called out the airport authorities, especially the NCAA, over the case.
Reacting to a comment from an X user who slammed the airport authority for being ineffective unlike in other climes, Achimugu in a post of his X handle shifted the blame on VDM and Mr. Jollof over their unruly behaviour.
The NCAA boss vowed to ensure necessary disciplinary and legal actions are taken as soon as the investigation over the case is concluded.
He accused the duo of putting the lives of others at risk.
The post read; “I had just boarded a flight and about to take off when I was tagged to a video post about a rage incident between VDM and Mr. Jollof, two social media influencers who should know better than the unacceptable behaviour and subsequent gloating video made by one of the individuals.
“Because the aircraft was about to push back for taxiing, and I needed to switch off my phone, I quickly asked the poster for two basic details so that I could quickly forward a screenshot to our CPOs to investigate and get me details which would help me do my job on arrival at transit airport.
“I just arrived at the transit airport to find my comment riddled with chaotic insults and labels by people who think that asking questions of the same social media folk who I attend to, day and night, on social media, is an aberration. I will ignore those insults for now.
“Procedurally, the airline should report the incident to the NCAA, and my department would forward to legal for advise and appropriate action/advise.
“Since I have not received such a report yet, I will say this before I board my connecting flight: There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft.
“Both individuals will face the full strength of the law. It is even more shameful when one considers both of them partners in educating their millions of followers to avoid unruly behavior.
“While waiting for information (I have reached out to our staff for details now that I am on ground), one wonders if the pilot had both passengers deplaned or if they were flown to destination. If it was the latter, there will be consequences.
“The actions of both men put the safety of all other passengers and the crew at risk. It also put the safety of the aircraft at risk.
“The NCAA has exerted a lot of energy and resources in educating passengers about the dangers of unruly behaviour and its consequences.
“In this case, no matter what led to the fracas, there is no excuse that makes it acceptable. Subject to the speed of information, I will put out a proper statement before boarding my next flight. Otherwise, I will do so on arrival at destination.” He said.
