Netflix’s Upcoming Nollywood Movie Hijack ‘93 Is Based on a True Story: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
The Infamous story about the 1993 hijack
- written by Eavesdroppr's
- 5 min read
- 04 Oct, 2024
Netflix Netflix is set to release the gripping Nollywood thriller, Hijack '93, on October 25th, the very same date in 1993 when a Nigerian Airways flight was hijacked by 4 young men for a “democratic” cause. Directed by Charles Okpaleke and produced by Play Network Studios and Native Media TV, the film stars a stellar cast including Bob Manuel, John Dumelo, Sharon Ooja, Nancy Isime, Jemima Osunde, Efa Iwara, and more.
The movie revolves around four men who hijack a plane to bring about social change. This intriguing premise has sparked curiosity among viewers, leading many to question whether the film is based on a real-life event. To answer the question, the Netflix movie is a fictional retelling of true life events which has gone down in Nigeria’s political history.
A Fictionalized Retelling of Hijack 93
Director Charles Okpaleke explained that the movie aims to share this significant historical event with future generations. He emphasized the importance of preserving such stories for posterity, stating, "Such historic events are essential to our nation's history and must be shared with future generations."
What Happened In The Real-Life 1993 Hijack
The “Niamey Four” as they were popularly referred to after their arrest, boarded the plane on an early Monday morning. Their course of action included plans to get the pilot to fly the plane to Germany instead of Abuja, and they also had a list of demands that guided the purpose of the hijack.
The plane, carrying high-ranking government officials including the Vice President of China, was forced to land in Niamey for refueling. The hijackers demanded the resignation of the military-backed interim government and the installation of Moshood Abiola as president. They issued a chilling threat, stating that they would set the plane on fire within three days if their demands were not met.
After a tense standoff and negotiation talks that lasted for four days, the hijackers were eventually attacked and arrested. Tragically, one crew member lost their life during the operation, and the leader of the group, Richard Ogunderu was shot in the leg, leading to a life-long injury. The four hijackers were sentenced to nine years and four months in a prison in Niger. They've described their years in prison as ‘livable and horrible’, and their return to the sad realities of the political landscape in Nigeria is only a reminder of why they took such extreme and desperate lengths in a bid to achieve “change”.
Hijack '93 promises to be a thrilling and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of social change and the consequences of extreme measures. The trailer has piqued the interest and minds of young Nigerians who are interested in watching how this chaotic story has shaped Nigeria’s history.
Watch Hijack '93 Trailer Here: