Movies
Hijack ’93: The Forgotten Nigerian Hijack Now a Netflix Hit
Four teenage boys hijacked a plane, not to run away or ask for ransom, but to make a statement about Nigeria. They weren’t chasing money. They just wanted to be heard. It sounds like a movie, but this really happened.
In 1993, during all the drama that followed the annulled June 12 elections, four young Nigerians did something unimaginable. They hijacked a Nigerian Airways flight and it shook the whole country.
Now, Netflix has turned that story into a film titled Hijack 93, directed by Robert O. Peters. And let me just say, it hits differently when you know this actually happened. If you haven’t seen the movie or even heard the real story, sit tight.
The Plot
On October 25, 1993, a flight going from Lagos to Abuja got hijacked mid-air by four teenage activists:
Richard Ogunderu
Kabir Adenuga
Bennett Oluwadaisi
Kenny Rasaq-Lawal
They were in a group called the Movement for the Advancement of Democracy (MAD). Their plan was to fly the plane to Germany and use that move to draw the world’s attention to Nigeria’s political crisis.
But there was no fuel. The plane had to land in Niger Republic. That’s where the real drama started — four days of tension, back-and-forth negotiations, and a tragic rescue attempt that claimed the life of a female crew member.
Eventually, the boys were arrested and spent almost 10 years behind bars.
What the Movie Shows
Hijack ’93 tells the true story of four young Nigerians who hijacked a plane in 1993 to protest the military government after the annulment of the June 12 election. In the film, they’re renamed Omar, Kayode, Ben, and Dayo.
It follows how they got pulled in by a man called Mallam Jerry, who convinced them they needed to take action to save the country. The story builds slowly, showing how frustration and broken dreams led them to that one dangerous choice.
You feel the tension from the moment they board the plane. Things take a turn when they land in Niger Republic instead of their planned destination, and reality begins to sink in fast.
The acting feels real and emotional. You can see the fear, the regret, and the weight of what they’ve done. The film keeps you watching because you want to understand why they did it, and what happened after.
Hijack ’93 is not just a political film. It’s a human story. One that makes you ask: what would I have done if I were in their shoes?
Cast Highlight
Nnamdi-Agbo
Nnamdi Agbo (Richard Ogunderu), Adam Garba (Kenny Rasaq-Lawal), Allison Emmanuel (Benneth Oluwadaisi), Nancy Isime (Flight Attendant), and John Dumelo (Pilot) didn’t just play their roles, they owned them.
Their performances kept viewers stuck to the screen. No surprise the film pulled over 3.2 million views in its first week.
Why It Still Matters
Hijack ’93 reminds us that history isn’t always about big names, sometimes, it’s about bold young people who dared to speak up.
It’s not just a movie. It’s a mirror that shows us how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go as a nation.
What do you think? Were the hijackers heroes or rebels? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. I’d love to hear your take.
Tap on the link below to see more of the movie.