Asake's Helicopter Saga: Student Admits Safety Breach, Withdraws Claims, and Demands a verse with Asake

                   Ezekiel Ogunniyi 

Following the tense Asake’s helicopter incident at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, during his visit, which later erupted into a social media debate, over aviation safety and use of force on students within their school premises, a consensus has finally been reached by both the affected student and the pilot, including its aviation company.

Recall that the ICONS Organizations recently reported that days after the Students' Union released a statement about the incident, the legal representatives of the student, wrote to Elin Air and Aviation Services Limited, accusing one of its pilots of physically assaulting the student, Ajibade Omotayo, during the artist’s visit to his alma mater.

According to the petition dated December 24, 2025, the incident occurred on December 22 at the OAU Sports Complex, where a helicopter operated by Elin Air had landed upon Asake’s arrival. The student was said to be among several others, who approached the area out of curiosity to watch the helicopter land and take photographs of the artist's arrival.

In a formal public statement issued on December 31, the legal counsel to Ajibade Omotayo disclosed that the student had admitted to breaching aviation safety regulations prior to the physical confrontation involving the pilot, during a meeting with VMO Aero Limited, the aircraft management company.

According to the statement, Ajibade Omotayo acknowledged that before the incident escalated, the pilot had made several attempts to disperse students from the vicinity of the helicopter and had issued warnings restricting access to the aircraft. Despite these warnings, he approached the aircraft and accepted responsibility for violating Section 75 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, 2022, which prohibits unauthorized access to restricted aviation areas. 

However, the fact that both parties reportedly agreed that a breach of aviation safety rules, does not justify the use of physical force against the student, this position was clearly stated and mutually acknowledged during the engagement of the two parties. 

Reacting to this, VMO Aero Limited reiterated its condemnation of the pilot’s conduct and confirmed that the issue is being addressed internally, through appropriate disciplinary and accountability mechanisms. 

For clarity's sake, representatives of VMO Aero Limited reportedly asked the student what he desired from the company on humanitarian grounds.  As such, the student stated that he did not seek monetary compensation, public apology, or any form of restitution, despite earlier demands by his legal counsel, which was contained in a letter dated December 24, 2025, addressed to Elin Air and Aviation Services Limited. 

The student  further expressed admiration for Asake, stating that what he wished for was a verse from the singer and nothing else, however, VMO Aero Limited could not fulfill such a request. His request was not presented as a demand, condition or obligation, it all depends on whether Asake will honour it or otherwise.

As it stands, without pressure or inducement, the student has expressly stated that he no longer wished to pursue any civil claim, monetary compensation, public apology, or further relief against VMO Aero Limited or Elin Air and Aviation Services Limited. 

With the withdrawal of claims and the initiation of internal disciplinary processes, the case appears to be moving toward administrative resolution rather than litigation, with all eyes on Asake, hoping whether he will acknowledge or disregard the student’s request.