 |
| Image: X |
Netflix’s latest thriller, Hijack ‘93, has gripped audiences with its portrayal of a shocking true story—the hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight in 1993 by four young men determined to bring global attention to Nigeria's political unrest.
The film follows Omar, Ben, Dayo, and Kayode (fictionalized versions of the real hijackers), whose act of desperation led to a tense, three-day standoff involving over 150 hostages, intense negotiations, and a standoff with authorities. But how much of Hijack ‘93 stays true to the real-life events?
A Radical Act of Protest and the Real Hijackers
On October 25, 1993, four young Nigerian men—Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal—boarded a Nigerian Airways Airbus 310 with the intent to hijack it. Their goal was to divert the plane to Germany to draw international attention to Nigeria's political crisis.
As depicted in Hijack ‘93, they aimed to demand the Nigerian government honor the 1993 democratic election results, which had been disregarded by the military regime that seized power.
However, Netflix’s adaptation heightened the suspense by modifying a few details, like the weaponry the hijackers used. In reality, they carried a plastic gun, tear gas, petrol, and lighters, while the film suggests more dire threats.
Why They Hijacked the Plane: A Fight for Democracy
Nigeria’s turbulent political climate in the 1980s and early 1990s provided the backdrop for this radical act. Military coups and unrest were rampant, and while the country’s citizens had voted in a democratic election in 1993, the military government annulled the results.
The hijackers, inspired by the pro-democracy group M.A.D. (Movement for the Advancement of Democracy) and allegedly backed by activist Jerry Yusuf, sought to force the government to recognize the election’s winner, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
They also demanded the reopening of closed newspapers and schools, the return of embezzled public funds, and justice for Nigerian journalist Gele Giwa, who died in a 1986 letter bomb explosion.
The Standoff: Three Days of Negotiation
In Hijack ‘93, the hijackers face tense negotiations, knowing that Nigerian authorities would not easily yield. The real hijacking mirrored this nerve-wracking situation. Unable to reach Germany due to fuel constraints, they landed in Niamey, Niger.
Over three days, they held passengers hostage while negotiating with Nigerian and international officials, demanding that democracy be reinstated. Authorities attempted to resolve the situation by sending supplies under the guise of delivering food and water.
However, when officials approached the plane with a trap in mind, violence erupted. Tragically, crew member Ethel Igwe was shot and killed in the ensuing chaos.
The Aftermath: Arrest, Imprisonment, and Life Beyond
After the ordeal, the young hijackers were arrested and spent nine years in a Niamey prison, largely without trial. Ogunderu later shared how he found purpose behind bars by starting an educational program and founding the African Youth Organization.
Similarly, Adenuga used his time in prison to acquire skills, making and selling jewelry to survive. Though they paid a heavy price for their actions, their story lives on as a symbol of the desire for change and the sacrifices made in the name of democracy.
Hijack ‘93 may have received mixed reviews for its pacing and character depth, but the story it tells brings light to an incredible, lesser-known chapter of Nigerian history. For fans of historical thrillers, the film offers an unforgettable, gritty look into the lives of four young activists who risked everything for a cause they believed in.
This is Hijack ‘93—a Netflix movie that dives into the raw, real-life intensity of a hijacking that shook Nigeria, reminding us that sometimes, the truth is even more astonishing than fiction.
Here the men speak to Punch below:
"Hijack 93" refers to the Nigerian Airways Flight 357, which was hijacked on October 25, 1993. The hijacking took place shortly after Nigeria's annulled presidential election of June 12, 1993, which led to political unrest in the country.
— Ibukun Tayo Daniel (@ibukun_tayo) October 3, 2024
The flight was en route from Lagos to… pic.twitter.com/ji0tM6mmgk
Source: SR
#Netflix
#Hijack'93
#Nollywood
No comments:
Post a Comment