Nigeria’s online rivalry between comedian Freedom Atsepoyi (Mr Jollof) and social media critic Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan) took a dramatic new turn on Monday, exploding into a physical clash aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight — a confrontation that caused delays, shocked passengers, and has now forced both men into public apologies.

In separate videos posted on Tuesday, the two entertainers attempted to justify their actions, each offering a different version of events but ultimately acknowledging that their in-flight brawl violated public decency and aviation safety.

Mr Jollof, who confirmed he bit VDM on the chest during the scuffle, said he acted purely in self-defence. In his apology to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his family, and passengers, he claimed that VeryDarkMan aggressively confronted him while he was quietly seated.

According to him, VDM repeatedly taunted him with threats such as: “If we come down from this plane, I go slap you… I fit commot from here now come slap you.”

He said the warnings escalated until VDM walked up to him, prompting him to retaliate.

As for the now-viral bite, Mr Jollof said he simply resorted to survival instincts:
“Mike Tyson used what God gave him. When you carry knife, come gun battle, you go use anything you see.”

While calling the moment uncharacteristic of him, the comedian jokingly added that “3,000mg of blows” landed on VDM during the altercation.

VDM: “I Acted Irresponsibly”

VeryDarkMan, however, took a more reflective route, admitting he mishandled the situation and apologising for the flight disruption that delayed passengers traveling from Asaba to Lagos.

“What happened yesterday was not supposed to happen, and I take full responsibility,” he said.
“People on that flight had medical emergencies, appointments, business meetings… I don’t know what that delay cost them.”

He acknowledged that while social media users may laugh about it, he was ashamed of the public behaviour and vowed never to repeat such conduct.

NCAA Watching Closely

The clash, which was caught on camera and widely circulated online, may attract sanctions from aviation authorities, as fighting on board an aircraft is considered a serious violation under safety regulations.

For now, both men have attempted to save face, one justifying a chest bite as battlefield instinct, the other admitting outright recklessness, after turning a routine flight into an unexpected midair spectacle.