““I Only Defended Myself” — Mr. Jollof Breaks Silence on Bizarre Mid-Air Brawl with VDM

In a startling turn of events, comedian and media personality Freedom Atsepoyi, widely known as Mr. Jollof, has broken his long silence to share his side of the highly publicized in-flight altercation with social activist Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan (VDM). The turbulent encounter, which unfolded on board a United Nigeria Airlines flight from Asaba to Lagos, quickly went viral — sparking outrage, debate, and a formal investigation by aviation authorities.

Mr. Jollof, who until now had largely remained quiet amid the swirl of backlash, insisted in his statement: “I am not a violent person, I only defended myself. I know my lovely wife is proud of me.” His words reflect a man who feels forced into a corner, defending his honor in front of a global audience. According to his camp, the confrontation was not premeditated — rather, it was a spontaneous reaction after what he describes as an aggressive provocation.

United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that crew members acted swiftly and professionally to de-escalate the situation. Both Mr. Jollof and VDM were promptly deboarded and handed over to airport security for further investigation. The airline reiterated its commitment to safety, emphasizing that it has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that threatens the security of passengers and crew. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority condemned the clash, warning that both men may face sanctions for their unruly conduct.

VDM, for his part, shared a video account after landing — pointing to weeks of online rivalry with Mr. Jollof as the spark that ignited the mid-air clash. He claimed he confronted Mr. Jollof on the plane, saying, “Today, you will slap me,” a reference to their lingering digital feud. According to VDM, Mr. Jollof struck first, and after retaliating, things escalated violently: VDM alleges that Mr. Jollof even bit him, leaving impressible marks on his chest — a scar that he says ruined his tattoo because of teeth “that had not been brushed.”

In a dramatic Instagram post, VDM wrote, “JOLLOF WOULD HAVE KPAI ME IF I DIDN’T DEFEND MYSELF, GOD SAVED ME.” He further argued that the fight was not a power play but a matter of survival, saying he feared for his life and had to defend himself to avoid a worse outcome.

While Mr. Jollof’s full detailed version hasn’t been made public in the way VDM’s was, his defenders argue that the comedian’s response is justified. Supporters cite his reputation as a family man and kneel on his declaration that his wife stands by him — portraying the brawl not as a spectacle but as a messy culmination of longstanding tension. Others, however, remain skeptical, pointing to the seriousness of engaging in physical violence on a commercial aircraft, regardless of provocation.

Reactions on social media have been ruthless. Some netizens have condemned both men for their lack of decorum, calling the incident childish and dangerous. Others have rallied in support, especially Mr. Jollof, praising his perceived courage and resilience. Among his backers, some have gone so far as to celebrate what they call his “victory” in the altercation.

Amid mounting public scrutiny, the Delta State government has confirmed that both men were taken into custody following the incident. The NCAA has confirmed it is reviewing a formal incident report from the airline, which could lead to legal consequences under civil aviation regulations.

As things stand, Mr. Jollof’s declaration — “I only defended myself” — marks his strongest public response yet. It remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold, whether disciplinary or legal action will follow, and how this episode will shape their reputations going forward. In the court of public opinion, though, the brawl has already become one of the most talked-about influencer dramas in recent memory.