The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched an investigation into a shocking mid-flight altercation between controversial social media personalities VeryDarkMan (VDM) and comedian Mr Jollof that was captured on video and has since gone viral.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, shows the two men engaged in a physical confrontation in an aeroplane aisle while alarmed passengers attempted to separate them. The disturbing footage has sparked concerns about aviation safety and passenger conduct on Nigerian flights.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, responded swiftly to the circulating video on X (formerly Twitter), appealing for crucial information to aid the investigation. “If you are kind enough to provide the name of the airline in whose aircraft this incident occurred, and the date, it would help investigations,” Achimugu wrote, quoting one of the viral clips.
As of now, the exact cause of the fight remains unclear. Early reports suggest the confrontation may have started before the aircraft took off, though neither the airline involved nor the parties have issued official statements clarifying the circumstances.
The aeroplane brawl is the latest and most dramatic escalation in a bitter, long-running online feud between the two social media figures.
The bad blood between VDM and Mr Jollof dates back months, with VeryDarkMan publicly accusing the comedian and his wife of defamation. VDM previously claimed that his home address was leaked online, forcing him to temporarily relocate to a hotel for safety reasons—an incident he blamed on the couple.
The conflict intensified in October 2024 when Mr Jollof’s wife filed a N500 million defamation lawsuit against VDM, demanding a public apology across multiple media platforms. The lawsuit came after VDM made inflammatory allegations about her, including claims that she “sleeps with Yahoo boys,” which triggered heated exchanges between the two men on social media.
What began as an online war of words has now spilt into the physical world, raising serious questions about the limits of social media feuds and the potential consequences when rivalries turn violent.
Aviation experts have expressed alarm at the incident, noting that physical altercations on aircraft pose serious safety risks to all passengers and crew. Under Nigerian aviation regulations, disruptive behaviour on flights can result in hefty fines, criminal charges, and being placed on no-fly lists.
The NCAA’s investigation will likely examine whether the airline followed proper protocols in handling the situation and whether criminal charges should be filed against those involved.
As the investigation continues, both VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof could face significant legal and professional consequences beyond their already complicated legal battles. The incident serves as a stark reminder that online disputes can have real-world ramifications—especially when they endanger public safety at 30,000 feet.
