FAAN clarifies AVSEC, NCAA roles after VDM-Mr Jollof altercation on United Nigeria flight

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified the procedures for handling passenger-related incidents at airports, following public reactions to an altercation involving two passengers on a United Nigeria Airlines flight at the Asaba airport, Delta state.

On November 17, a physical altercation between Mr Jollof and VeryDarkMan (VDM) went viral after the two were filmed trading blows aboard an aircraft.

The video footage shows the two men engaged in a heated fistfight as alarmed passengers attempted to pull them apart.

Confirming the incident, United Nigeria said both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members.

The airline added that they were subsequently handed over to airport security for further investigation.

Also reacting, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the agency maintains zero tolerance for unruly conduct on any aircraft, adding that both individuals will face the full weight of the law.

In a statement on Wednesday, Henry Agbebire, FAAN director of public affairs and consumer protection, explained the distinct roles of airlines, aviation security (AVSEC) personnel, and the NCAA in managing such situations.

As part of its mandate, Agbebire said FAAN provides AVSEC, rescue, and firefighting services across federal, state, and privately operated airports.

According to the statement, AVSEC officers form the internal airport security team, maintaining order and ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and infrastructure.

He noted that when a disturbance occurs on board an aircraft or during boarding, the airline is primarily responsible for addressing the situation.

“This may include deboarding passengers whose behaviour threatens safety or disrupts operations. Once passengers are removed from the aircraft, the matter then transitions to airport-level procedures,” the statement reads.

Under Nigerian civil aviation security standards, Agbebire said AVSEC officers are required to receive disruptive passengers handed over by the airline, conduct preliminary profiling or assessments, maintain order within the terminal and airside, and hand such individuals over to the police or relevant law-enforcement agencies for further action.

“These steps are standard procedure and apply uniformly across all airports in the country,” he added.

The director reminded the public that the NCAA is the statutory aviation regulator empowered to investigate incidents, determine infractions, and impose sanctions where necessary.

He said matters involving passenger behaviour, regulatory breaches, or airline compliance fall strictly within the NCAA’s jurisdiction.

“This distinction is essential to avoid misconceptions about the responsibilities of operational agencies like FAAN versus the regulatory authority of the NCAA,” Agbebire said.

‘FAAN COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING ORDERLY AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT’

The director reiterated FAAN’s commitment to supporting a safe, secure, and orderly airport environment, adding that its AVSEC officers continue to collaborate with airlines, the NCAA, and security agencies to ensure that incidents are handled in line with global standards.

He urged the public to rely on official communication from the appropriate aviation bodies regarding the ongoing review of the recent incident.

Agbebire said the authority will continue to sensitise airport users on proper conduct and uphold its mandate of ensuring seamless airport operations nationwide.