Netflix’s Hijack ’93 is a suspenseful retelling of a significant but lesser-known event in Nigerian history, where four young men—Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal—hijacked a Nigerian Airways flight on October 25, 1993. In the film, characters inspired by the real hijackers take desperate action to protest against the military regime in Nigeria, and the storyline highlights the tense standoff and the political motivations behind their actions.
The Real-Life Hijacking: Who Were the Hijackers?
In Hijack ’93, four teens hijack an Airbus 310, but the true story involved four young men in their late teens and early twenties. These men, influenced by activist leader Jerry Yusuf, planned the hijacking to draw international attention to Nigeria’s ongoing political struggles under military rule. The hijackers boarded a Lagos-to-Abuja flight intending to redirect it to Germany; however, due to fuel limitations, they had to make an unscheduled stop in Niamey, Niger, where a tense standoff with authorities ensued.
Why They Hijacked the Flight: A Call for Democracy
The young men’s actions were motivated by a desire for democracy in Nigeria. At the time, Nigeria was in political turmoil, with military leaders ignoring the results of the June 12, 1993 elections, in which Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won. This hijacking was a radical form of protest, demanding that the government respect democratic principles. Beyond calling for Abiola’s rightful leadership, they demanded the reopening of closed newspapers and colleges, an investigation into journalist Dele Giwa’s assassination, and the return of embezzled funds.
The Tense Negotiations and Arrest
Over three days, the hijackers negotiated with authorities, threatening to set the plane on fire if their demands weren’t met. Despite their resolve, the standoff ended in gunfire when individuals delivering food to the plane ambushed the hijackers. One crew member tragically lost their life, and the hijackers were detained and imprisoned in Niger. The hijackers’ families also faced repercussions; Richard Ogunderu’s father, for instance, was detained for weeks in Nigeria as authorities investigated possible connections to the incident.
Aftermath: Imprisonment and Life After Release
The four men spent nearly a decade in prison without a formal trial, eventually being released in 2001. During their incarceration, they adapted by developing skills to survive, with Ogunderu finding purpose in faith and youth education. Following their release, little is known about the lives of Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal, though Kabir Adenuga has shared stories of his experience in interviews.
The Legacy of Hijack ’93
Netflix’s Hijack ’93 brings attention to a historical moment in Nigeria’s push for democracy, showing the extreme lengths to which these young men went to bring awareness to political injustices. While the film takes some creative liberties, it sheds light on the resilience of individuals who risked their lives for their beliefs, underscoring the global struggles for democracy and the impact of political activism.
