The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it will take decisive action against social media personalities Vincent Otse also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) and Mr Jollof following their violent altercation aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight.
The Director of Public Affairs at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, issued the warning on Monday in a detailed statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Achimugu condemned the conduct of the two influencers, describing their behaviour as “unacceptable” and a serious threat to aviation safety.
Achimugu, who was airborne when the video of the confrontation surfaced online, said he immediately made efforts to gather information by requesting key details from the poster before his device was switched off for takeoff. Upon landing at a transit airport, he said he was met with a barrage of insults from online commenters for merely seeking information.
“I will ignore those insults for now,” he wrote.
He explained that, by procedure, the airline involved must formally report the incident to the NCAA. The Authority’s Public Affairs Department would then forward the case to its legal unit for guidance and appropriate sanctions.
Achimugu stressed that there is zero tolerance for unruly behaviour on aircraft, especially from individuals with large online followings who should be setting positive examples for their audiences.
“There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” he stated.
He added that the NCAA is also seeking to determine whether the pilot deplaned the two men or allowed them to fly to their destination. If they were not removed despite the disruption, the agency warned that “there will be consequences.”
Achimugu emphasized that the conduct of VDM and Mr Jollof endangered passengers, crew members, and the aircraft itself, noting that the NCAA has invested heavily in sensitizing the public about the dangers of disruptive behaviour on flights.
He said a full statement would be issued once more information is gathered and depending on the timing of his onward travel.
The incident has continued to attract widespread public criticism, with many expressing concern over the rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour in Nigerian aviation.