Hijack '93 (2024) Movie Script
1
[in Nigerian Pidgin]
This life is full of ups and downs
I'm tired of these problems
I'm tired of life o
What is it?
No work, no food
No house, no light
The little water they supply
Is full of dirt...
[suspenseful music playing]
[man in English] In a few years from now,
some of you will become fathers.
Fathers of children. Boys, girls.
Now, how would you look
your children in the face,
and tell those children
that you did nothing.
You just sat back, folded your arms,
and watched their future snatched
away from them by greedy bastards.
They'll call you irresponsible parents.
For each one that falls,
a thousand more shall rise in his place.
And we shall fight
and rid our country of oppression.
- Are you all ready to fight?
- Yes, sir!
Are you ready
to give your life for change?
Yes, sir!
I have an assignment for you,
and I need four volunteers.
You, step out.
You, out.
You, out.
You, out.
[upbeat jazz music playing]
[birds chirping]
Captain Ambrose,
we have an announcement.
- Yeah?
- I asked Ada to marry me.
- And of course I said yes!
- Wow. Congratulations.
Thank you.
- Welcome to the club.
- Thank you.
We'll party when we get to Abuja.
- [all chuckling]
- No problem, sir.
[inaudible]
[inaudible]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman in Igbo] Dear God!
[in English]
I... I get the jitters when I fly.
[man coughing]
You don't look Igbo.
A lot of people say that, actually.
I'm... I'm Wolof.
Because my father is from Senegal
and my mother is from Enugu.
So she taught me
to write and to read in Igbo.
[inaudible]
[tense music playing]
[inaudible]
[whoosh, thud]
[exhales shuddering breath]
[intercom chimes]
[captain] Attention, passengers,
we are experiencing some delay.
We will take off shortly.
[woman 1] What!
- [woman 2] God! [sucks teeth]
- [woman 1] What is the meaning of this?
- [woman 2] For how long?
- [woman 1 sucks teeth]
[woman 3] What sort of nonsense is this?
[woman 4] Who is this one? Ha!
Sir, please...
[in Igbo] Can you imagine!
Do you see what I see?
They delayed our flight for a boy that's
not old enough to grow hair on his chest.
- [hostess in English] Sir...
- [Igbo man] Wonders shall never end.
[hostess] Settle down.
We'll be taking off shortly.
- Please bear with us.
- [woman 1 in Pidgin] It's all right.
[captain] Flight is ready for take-off.
Thank you for your patience.
[woman 2 in Pidgin] Finally o! Finally.
[woman 3 scoffs]
[in English] Beautiful.
Well, you're... You're beautiful.
Thank you.
Oh! Can I see?
Owiwi, Skipper, Eruku and Iku.
What kind of names are these?
They are nicknames.
"Owiwi" means owl,
"Eruku" is smoke, and "Iku" means death.
Sounds intense.
Are they comic characters?
You are talented.
Thank you.
[tense music playing]
[inaudible]
[mouthing] Thank you.
[clock ticking]
[tense music continues]
Hi, excuse me. Um, sir, please,
you shouldn't be up here. Please.
But, sir, please, with all due respect,
can you please go back to your seat?
[tense music continues]
[woman screaming]
[child screams] Mommy!
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a bomb...
- There is a bomb in this plane.
- [people screaming]
If you want to live,
you're going to listen to me.
- [in Hausa] Hey!
- [in English] Stand down! Go back!
[woman screaming]
Get back!
If not I will blow your heads off.
[hijacker] Who is that?!
Hey! If you pick it, I will...
Move back! Sit!
[Captain Ambrose] Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
We have hijackers onboard. Mayday!
Mayday! Mayday! Please advise. Mayday!
Emergency services are on standby,
clear her to land.
All right, copied.
Nigeria Airways WT470, surface wind 320
at 06, clear to land runway 06.
Emergency service on standby.
[intercom ringing]
If you don't do it,
we will pour the petrol on you.
- [all wailing] No!
- And this plane will go, "kaboom!"
- [man] Gun!
- [men grunting]
[ominous music playing]
[men grunting]
[hijacker 1] Sit down!
- Fasten your seatbelt.
- Settle down, everyone!
This plane is landing.
[women crying]
[hijacker 2] This plane must not land!
[women crying]
[hijacker 2] You think I'm a coward?
Move! Move!
- [hijacker 2] Open this door.
- Captain!
[hijacker 2] Are you going to open
the door or not? Open it! Shut up!
Open the door.
- Let's go.
- [hostess] No!
Think about the consequences
of opening that door.
But if I don't, you know what happens.
I'm not gonna let that happen.
Sit! Sit! Sit!
Return to the sky now.
[tense music playing]
- We have the plane under control, Skipper.
- It's too early to celebrate.
Captain, I would like to talk to everyone
on the plane,
and I would like to talk to them now.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is not your captain speaking.
We are the Movement
for the Advancement of Democracy,
- and this aircraft is under our control.
- [woman whimpers]
We demand an end to an oppressive regime
that has stolen the collective wealth
of many just for the gain of a few.
We give the Nigerian Government
seventy-two hours
to reinstate
our democratically elected president.
We are not terrorists...
but we are prepared to do whatever
it takes
- to reclaim our stolen mandate.
- [woman] Ahhh!
And with God on our side,
the people's will shall prevail.
Power to the people.
- Power to the people.
- Power to the people.
[woman] Jesus!
[woman speaking indistinctly]
- Owiwi, you are in charge.
- Yes! Yes! Yes, sir.
Hey! Hey!
Take us to Frankfurt.
Your mission is simple.
You seize control of the plane
and force the pilot to land in Frankfurt.
And that is
where your new lives await you.
And if it doesn't go according to plan?
Sometimes,
it takes great risk and great sacrifice.
Give me your hand.
We do this for the love of Fatherland.
- We go?
- We go!
- We go?
- We go!
- We go?
- We go!
Let's do it!
[music intensifies]
This is Captain Ambrose,
Nigerian Airways 470,
requesting permission to land.
We need to refuel.
Kotoka control tower, please come in.
This is Captain Ambrose, Nigerian Airways.
Kotoka control tower,
we need permission to land to refuel.
This is an emergency.
We have to refuel.
Can't you see what's going on?
The Nigerian government is blocking
our chances of landing anywhere.
The only option
we have right now is to go back.
We cannot go back.
We can't land without clearance.
And if we don't land anytime soon,
we're going to crash.
- Land the plane! Land the plane!
- Sit down!
- No I'm not going to sit down!
- I said, sit down!
- Land the plane! I am not going to sit.
- Sit down!
[man groans]
Diori Hamani Control Tower,
this is Captain Ambrose, Nigerian Airways,
requesting permission to land.
It's an emergency.
[people screaming]
[in French] Nigeria Airways flight WT470,
this is Diori Hamani, permission refused.
[breathes heavily]
[in English] We do not speak French.
We have passengers aboard,
and we need to land to refuel.
Please, this is an emergency.
[in French] What do we do?
They shouldn't land this plane here.
Let them be someone else's problem.
[in English]
Come in, Diori Hamani Control Tower.
Please, we need a response.
This is a matter of life and death.
Please.
- Land this plane now, Captain.
- We need clearance.
I said, land this plane now...
or I shoot him.
Make your decision now, Captain.
Diori Hamani Control Tower,
we are landing.
This is an emergency.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please fasten your seatbelts.
We are about to land.
- [hijacker] Hey!
- Don't touch me.
You are having a panic attack.
Let me help. Please.
No! [panting]
[women screaming]
[indistinct chatter]
Jesus!
[people screaming]
[tires screeching]
[people continue screaming]
[sirens wailing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[engine roaring]
[suspenseful continues music playing]
[siren wailing]
- [woman] Ha-a! What is this?
- [baby crying]
Hey! It's gasoline.
- They are going to set the plane on fire.
- [Owiwi] That's your problem!
You think I'm a coward, huh?
You think I'm a coward?
Owiwi, calm down. What are you doing?
[woman crying] Please, please. Please.
Please, don't do this.
Madam,
if the soldiers attack us,
we will have only one option.
[crying] Please, don't kill her.
This is the only option. Huh!
[woman crying]
Pray, madam. Pray.
- There has to be another way.
- There's no other way.
[Skipper] Calm down! Calm down!
What are you... What are you doing?
The teacher chose you to be Skipper,
it has to be you.
Burn this plane down!
No, we have hostages. We can use them
to negotiate with the soldiers.
We are in Niger, Kayode. The only English
they understand is "Shoot and kill."
Owiwi, calm down.
We're just supposed to scare them.
You're becoming too violent.
If you are not gonna do it, I'll...
[Kayode] Wait! Wait!
[people shouting]
Look, what we need is an interpreter.
Oh, start the interview.
Start the interview.
So we can recruit someone
who speaks French on this plane.
Start the interview, Kayode.
[people continue screaming]
I know someone who speaks French.
[French] Have you
established communication with the plane?
Not yet, Captain.
Nigeria Airways flight WT470,
we have you surrounded,
and you have no chance.
Surrender at once.
[adventurous music playing]
Hello. Is anyone there?
- Who are you?
- One of the hostages on the plane.
How many hijackers are onboard?
[in English]
How many hijackers onboard?
I want to speak to the man in charge.
[in French]
- They want to speak to the man in charge.
- I am the man in control.
- [in English] He's the man in charge.
- Good.
Tell him to tell all his men to back off.
[in French] They want you
to tell your men to back off,
or they will kill everyone onboard.
The National Gendarmerie of Niger
doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
Understood?
[in English] He said that
he doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
Everybody on this plane is going to die.
Tell him.
[in French] Everyone will die
if you don't get your men to back off.
The passengers on that plane
are not Nigerien citizens.
Why should I care
about the fate of strangers?
[in English] He said he doesn't care
because we are not Nigeriens.
Tell him to look outside the plane.
[in French] Look outside the plane.
[suspenseful music playing]
He will kill her!
He will kill everyone on this plane!
[in English] Back off now!
[in French] Could you live with yourself
if you let everyone die?
Captain, do you have children?
I'm only 22 years old.
I still have my whole life ahead of me.
Please don't let me die.
[Captain Gana] Do not fire.
I repeat, do not fire.
[Owiwi in English] Back off now!
[in French] Everyone, stand down.
[in English] Get out!
What are you doing?!
- Wha... Wha... What are you doing?
- Get out, Omar!
- [Kayode] Hey, are you okay?
- [Skipper] You're making rash decisions.
- Ben, you're making rash decisions.
- [Owiwi] I will negotiate.
- You call this negoti...
- Negotiated!
What's wrong with you?!
Huh?! What's wrong with you?!
Let go of me. Let go of me!
If they weren't thinking
we were terrorists, they will now!
Kayode... Kayode...
This is Martha Ball
reporting live from Niger Republic.
I'm standing a few meters away
from Nigerian Airways aircraft
that has been commandeered by terrorists.
Currently, according to the situation,
the demand of the terrorists unknown.
But don't worry, we will keep you updated
as soon as possible
because everything is under control.
As you can see, the Nigerian Army
and the Nigerien Air Force
is being deployed.
[helicopter hovering]
[adventurous music playing]
[sirens wailing]
Captain Kenneth Dokunbo,
Commander, Special Forces Nigerian Army.
Can we talk privately?
[music fades]
How is the situation here?
Everything is under control.
Owiwi?
[in English and Pidgin] Owiwi!
You are too hot-blooded.
You have to calm down a bit.
- I got the soldiers to retreat.
- You should know it won't work...
[in English] Then I don't understand.
I don't see any problem, Omar.
Now listen to me.
I don't know what is wrong with you.
I'm in charge of everybody on this flight,
and I won't have you
jeopardize this mission.
It's either you fall back
or I'll be forced to take action.
[in Pidgin] What's wrong with you?
[in English]
Can I use the men's room please?
[in Pidgin] Don't worry, I'll take him.
[suspenseful music playing]
[in English]
We have a high value asset in that plane.
His name is Lee Zhang.
The son of the Chinese ambassador
to Nigeria.
Do we know anything at all
about the hijackers? Anything at all?
They want us
to refuel the tank of the plane,
otherwise, he starts killing hostage.
We cannot let that plane
get back into the skies.
I'm sure you have a plan,
Captain.
[music fades]
I have a business proposal for you.
[intriguing music playing]
I have ten thousand dollars
in my briefcase,
and it is all yours
if you get me off this plane.
I... I... I do that and the money is mine?
The coolest and easiest money
you will ever make in your life.
How did you get such a fortune?
I am a very important person
in this country.
I am Honorable Abdulazeez Yari,
Chief Judge,
Federal High Court of Nigeria.
So, do we have a deal?
Now you get your hands off me.
Tell me, Mr. Judge,
how many innocent lives
did you trade for that bag of money?
[choking]
You're not so powerful now, eh?
You think money makes you untouchable?
You think it makes you invincible?
You all just dress up
and call yourself honorable,
but there's nothing honorable
about a thief.
Please, have mercy.
I have no compassion for thieves.
[laughs gleefully]
You're not so untouchable, hey?
- Please.
- Get out!
Good evening, fellow Nigerians.
At 0900 hours this morning,
a Nigerian airways flight
from Lagos to Abuja was hijacked.
And unfortunately, the aircraft is still
under the control of the hijackers.
[door opening]
[in Pidgin] Boss, the soldiers are here.
[in English]
What do you mean? How did they get here?
Boss, you need to start leaving right now.
- How did they know we are here?
- Boss, you need to start moving.
Take every important document here, eh?
I'll watch the door. Move, move quickly.
You got it, you got it.
[announcer over radio] The general public
is hereby advised to stay calm,
as the government...
Bisi!
...is working towards a peaceful resolution.
Yes, Mommy?
[in Yoruba]
Pack all these items into the shop.
We need to close the shop now.
[horns blaring]
[in English] God will not let us see evil
in this country.
[suspenseful music playing]
AK, we need to do something.
I know.
I have a plan.
[music fades]
Your time is up.
- [Kayode] What?
- You're not like the others.
We are not bad people.
Do you think good people
hold people like this against their will?
I know. But what we do,
we do for a righteous cause.
What other lies have they sold you?
That you guys are heroes?
I never claimed to be one.
I've seen your drawing.
Do you know
what my country does to heroes?
Hmm?
They shoot them,
then throw them out on the streets to rot.
And if you're lucky,
you get locked in the cage
until you're forgotten.
It will take
more than just heroes to win this fight.
It will take evil
to defeat a greater evil.
You know,
once you let evil into your home,
it brings the rest of its family along.
[man] Imprisoned for a crime
you did not even commit.
One week in that place
and you did not break.
[intriguing music playing]
I know some men who will give up
their own mothers for that.
You see that kind of loyalty...
[chuckles] ...is extremely hard
to find these days.
What... What do you want?
I want to restore the power
they stole from you.
A real man does not give up
what belongs to him.
He fights to keep it.
And I know that you can fight.
Because you are a real man.
I want you to fight back.
Restore the power
that they stole from you.
[music continues playing]
[music fades]
[Owiwi yawns]
[sucks teeth]
These people still haven't brought
the fuel.
It doesn't matter.
This has always been
a one way trip for me.
You know,
it's funny how other than our names,
we know nothing about each other.
[bittersweet music playing]
This is my baby girl,
Ifeoluwa.
[in English and Yoruba] I call her
"her father's daughter."
[in English] "The apple of my eyes."
She's very beautiful.
Thank you.
So why aren't you home
with Ife and Mommy Ife?
I, um...
That is a story for... for another day.
[music becomes tense]
[music intensifies]
[adventurous music playing]
[men grunting]
[people shouting]
[man] What happened?
[Skipper grunting]
[woman] Jesus! Jesus!
[hijacker] That's it! Leave him!
[AK] Do you know how to use that gun?
[gun cocking]
[hijacker] Trust me, I never miss.
So, leave him!
[Owiwi] Let him go or I shoot him.
[AK grunting]
- [Skipper] Come here!
- [man] Stop!
Do you have any storage with any lock?
- [hostess] There's one at the back.
- [Skipper] Show us now! Take them!
Move! Move! Move!
- [hijacker] I said, move!
- [AK grunting]
[reporter on radio]
...as the government is working tirelessly
towards a peaceful resolution.
So these boys
just wasted their lives for nothing?
These boys are heroes. Eh!
Because it takes courage
to look death in the face
and demand to be heard.
There is nothing like
looking death in the face here.
These boys,
they are nothing but spoiled children.
Eh-eh, eh-eh, Bobby,
- I understand that you are a coward.
- Eh! Me?
That is why you come to the bar every day,
looking for courage inside the bottle.
Me, I salute these boys.
I salute them for their courage.
[tense music playing]
[Martha] At the moment it appears
everyone's in the dark
about what's going on inside the plane.
But the question that remains,
will today be the day
the hostages regain their freedom?
How do you think
these hijackers beat airport security?
And if they had to take any hostage,
it will be Ada.
Because they knew I won't let her die.
Ambrose,
that means that one of the cabin crew
is working with the hijackers.
The only question is...
who?
[Skipper] Does he listen when you pray?
- Yes.
- [Skipper scoffs]
Well, he never answered any of mine.
What did you pray for?
My mother.
[in Yoruba] Mom...
[in English]
...truly, your soul waited upon God.
From him cometh your salvation.
He only is your rock
and your salvation.
Sorry.
Mommy, sorry.
Ma...
[somber music playing]
[sobbing] Father, please, I beg you.
[crying]
Father, I pray...
I prayed for my grandfather
but he died. I beg you.
Father, she is the only one I have left.
I beg you, have mercy, please.
God, please.
[in Yoruba] Lord, have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, please, please.
[in English]
Well, he turned his back on me,
and I turned mine on him.
Deuteronomy 31, verse eight.
Hey, did you hear that?
[Kayode] The fuel truck is here.
It's coming. It's the end.
[hopeful music playing]
- On your knees.
- [Owiwi] Yes!
[Skipper] Captain, take us to Frankfurt.
Look, the fuel they gave us is just enough
to power the radio, AC, the lights.
It cannot fly us anywhere.
Don't, don't play games with us.
- Get this plane off the ground now!
- Look, he's telling the truth.
Nigerian Airways!
[music becomes tense]
They're never going
to let us leave this place.
[Captain Dokunbo]
Flight WT470, can you hear me?
- Roger that. I...
- Hey! Hey! Give me that.
Who is this?
Captain Kenneth Dokunbo, Nigerian Army.
I have been sent
to negotiate your immediate surrender.
Surrender? We will only surrender
when a new government is sworn into power.
Fair enough.
Your demands will be passed down
to the appropriate quarters.
In the meantime, I have ten names
that I want to negotiate
their immediate release.
Why negotiate
for only ten passengers?
Ah-ah! What about the rest of us?
[in Igbo] What is this?
- [in Yoruba] Shut up!
- [in Hausa] Don't escalate the situation.
[in English] You hear me, huh?
Keep quiet, everybody.
We don't want any noise.
Why are the lives of ten passengers worth
more than the lives of over two hundred?
Listen, I am a soldier.
I don't ask questions. I do what I'm told.
Then stand in this fight with us.
In a democratic society, we can demand
a better life for every Nigerian.
Is that not what we all want?
We have your families in custody.
If you surrender now,
they will not be harmed.
He's lying!
Look, Ho... How do we know
you're telling the truth?
Meet me outside the aircraft,
and I'll show you evidence.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Skipper.
- Yeah?
Are we doing this?
Nah. It could be a trap.
What are you talking about?
We need to know if they have our families.
So we're doing this.
Who is brave enough
to go out there to meet him?
- Um, I...
- I'll do it.
Look, Owiwi.
You do not need to prove anything to us.
- I'm not doing this for you, Kayode.
- [Skipper] Guys! Guys!
Calm down and talk to them.
Be safe.
[door opening]
If it turns out to be a trap,
avenge me.
[suspenseful music continues]
Benjamin Alabi,
your father
was arrested yesterday at 1900 hours.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [people laughing]
[paper rustling]
That is the consequence of your actions.
[eerie music playing]
The names of the hostages.
You'll release them to me immediately,
alongside any two soldiers of your choice,
and no further harm
will come to your families.
[eerie music playing]
[drum roll]
[Kayode] What did he want?
[Owiwi] That is my father.
This changes everything.
- We have a situation.
- What?
The captain and I believe that a member
of the cabin crew has been compromised.
Compromised? How?
We think someone is working
with the terrorists.
Babe, I have known these girls
for a very, very long time.
- They would never do such a thing.
- Ada! Ada! Ada!
- Yes?
- Trust me,
someone is. And I need your help
to find out who it is.
Ada,
you're the only one I can trust.
I hear you. So, what do you need me to do?
How did they learn about our identities
and find our families so quickly?
But we have to decide if we are willing
to sacrifice everything for this cause.
- [Kayode] Owiwi! Owiwi!
- Hey! Hey!
[Skipper] Leave him.
[eerie music playing]
[music distorts]
[Man 1]
So the red wine, how many are there here?
[Man 2] What the...
[Owiwi] Sorry.
Are you stupid? Get out of here!
Please, I'm so sorry.
I'll get someone to clean this right away.
I'll be right back.
- I'm so sorry sir. I'm sorry.
- That's okay. That's okay.
Take up your sleeves, let me see.
Come on, take it.
Your father did this?
I can teach you how to defend yourself.
That way, nobody can mess up with you.
- You hear me?
- [sobs]
Come.
Now wipe your tears. Men don't cry. Okay?
Now listen, men do what men should do.
Men stand and fight back.
[distortion of music continues]
[distorted music fades]
Hey! Hey! Is he still there?
[Owiwi] He is not going to leave
until he gets what he wants.
Why not let them decide?
To do what?
To choose captivity,
this over their freedom?
To choose humanity.
To stand for what is right.
You think they'll choose to stay?
I have faith.
Then you don't know your people.
Look, maybe I don't know people.
But deep down,
I believe people can be good.
[Skipper] Ladies and gentlemen,
the government has arrested our families
and is demanding your immediate release,
or they'll keep torturing them.
[Kayode]
That is what this government does.
Oppress, bully, and torture.
I thought the next generation
was to be championed
by serious thinkers, innovators.
Holding men, women
and children is hardly ever innovative.
And now asking them to save you,
is to say the least, pathetic.
[suspenseful music playing]
And to think that you expect us
to hand over the keys of this kingdom
to the likes of you?
You are brash, rebellious.
Rebelliousness breeds chaos.
Are so blinded by greed
that you turn a blind to this injustice?
See how quickly they resort to violence.
If we let them,
they will put this plane on fire
with everyone in it.
I have no sympathy for terrorists.
Who will stand with us?
Who will stand with us?
Nobody?
What did you expect?
The rich in this country only care
about themselves and nobody else.
[chuckles disdainfully]
Since I was a kid,
I was taught to see everyone as equal.
All lives matter.
- I stand with you all.
- Thank you.
Anyone else?
Okay.
Lee Zhang.
Elizabeth and Joanna Abubakar.
Abigail John.
Judge Abdulazeez Tanko.
Are we really going
to let these people go?
Are you willing to risk the lives
of your father
and that of our families,
on such an expensive gamble?
We don't have a choice.
Ben Johnson.
[percussion music playing rhythmically]
Halima Danjuma.
[engine roaring]
[man] Welcome back, soldier.
They're not gonna authorize
any operation until they are satisfied,
that the Chinese ambassador's son
is out of danger.
With all due respect, sir,
those boys are untrained,
I believe we can handle them.
They are not coordinated.
Would you care to explain to me
how those boys, untrained boys,
were able to subdue
four trained military officers?
How? How did they do it?
If we are gonna take down
those terrorists,
we have to get that boy,
Lee Zhang, out of that plane.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, sir!
- Do you follow?
- Yes, sir!
[suspenseful music]
My people!
[in Yoruba] For God's sake...
[in English]
...if we want to leave here alive,
we need to work together.
[in Pidgin]
This is not the time to be afraid, please.
[chuckles and scoffs]
Igbo man, did I say something funny?
[in English]
Imagine a Yoruba man talking about fear.
Everyone knows that you people are
the cowards we have in this country.
My brother...
[in Pidgin] ...you this mommy's boy,
Don't believe the propaganda
and the nonsense people say.
[in English] Me! Your brother?
I'm not your brother.
[in Igbo] My name is Mazi Chinedu Igbokwe.
[in English] My name is
Mazi Chinedu Igbokwe, not Segun.
If you're looking for your brother,
go and meet your real brothers,
the terrorists,
and tell them to let us go.
Enough!
Why are we fighting each other
when we should channel that energy
to fighting the terrorists?
Sister, can't you see that they have guns?
[in Yoruba] Oh! Lazy man,
[in English] Now you know they have guns.
- Calling me a coward.
- [in Igbo] Come on, get out!
[in English] It is not cowardice,
it's common sense.
Madam, what is wrong?
My stomach is biting me.
Don't worry,
I will get you what to eat. Huh?
[suspenseful music playing]
Can I trust you?
I heard there's one more soldier left
on the plane.
[hostess] Your food, sir.
[man 1] Thank you.
- [hostess] Your food.
- [man 2] Thank you.
[Marie] Thank you.
It's called Dambou.
It's made with wheat and moringa leaves,
and the onions and the meat are raw.
[scoffs] That's my problem with Nigerians.
You guys never wanna try something new.
Try first.
You see? It's not bad.
[adventurous music playing]
[in French]
The hijackers are just children.
It doesn't excuse their actions.
I have a boy of that age at home.
If my son took my gun
and went out to rob a bank or a school,
does it not mean
I've failed in my duties as a father?
- Iyabo.
- Hmm?
[in English] I heard that
soldiers are trying
to board the plane this night.
What?
- When?
- Yes, tonight.
How would they board the plane?
[woman screaming]
Mrs. Blessing, hold my hand.
- Mrs. Blessing, just breathe.
- What happened?
I think she's going into labor.
What?
What is the problem?
Just breathe.
- Somebody, talk to me. What's the problem?
- I think she is going into labor.
You people should shift back.
Is there a doctor here?
Speak to me, somebody.
Is there a doctor here? Huh?
Hey, you, go downstairs now.
Look for a doctor.
Please, is there a doctor on board?
Is anyone here a doctor?
Please, is there a doctor on board?
Is anyone here a doctor? Please!
Is anyone a doc... You are a doctor?
Yes, yes, I'm a doctor.
Doctor Godwin Osagie. I'm a dentist.
No! No! No! No! We need a real doctor!
Is anyone a real doctor on board?
- [woman 1] What is the emergency?
- Someone upstairs is in labor.
I need a doctor, please. Anybody!
[woman 2] I... I'm a midwife.
- You're a midwife?
- [woman 2] Yes.
Please come with me, please. Please hurry.
- [in Pidgin] Let me through.
- Please.
Let me through, please.
- [man] Hurry! Hurry!
- [in English] Please come.
[music stops]
You're really good with him.
I have had the experience.
You lost someone you love.
[heartfelt piano music playing]
How can you tell?
I heard the others call you "Iku."
"Iku" means death.
Yes, my daughter.
How did she die?
[gunshots]
[Iku] Our neighborhood was terrorised
by thugs for many years.
[gunshots]
There was a shootout one fateful day.
[rapid gunshots]
[in Yoruba] What's going on, Dayo?
Answer me.
Huh?
There's chaos everywhere.
Everyone is just shooting.
I don't even understand it anymore.
[woman panting]
My daughter!
[banging on door]
[somber music playing]
[banging continues]
[women 2 crying]
[sobbing]
What happened?
[somber music playing]
[music continues playing with no sound]
[in English] My baby girl was killed.
Like... Like she doesn't mean anything
to anyone.
Like no one cares about her.
I'm so sorry.
That same day,
my baby girl died.
My life ended that same day.
Holding on to grief
is like stuffing your pockets with stones,
and going out to swim.
I don't...
I don't know how to stop hurting.
All you have to do is let go.
That's all. [sobs]
[emotionally] Take him.
[music fades]
Everybody, bring out your ID
or any means of identification
you have on you. Now.
[hostess] Please,
what exactly are we searching for?
Please, you need to tell me,
so that I can assist you with the search.
There is a soldier disguised as a civilian
on this plane. Uh-huh.
and he might have guns in his bags. Huh?
I understand, I understand.
Now get to work.
- [Owiwi] Have I seen yours?
- No.
Show me.
Guys,
we've searched the entire economy cabin,
we couldn't find anything.
Everyone on this plane
seems to be who they claim to be.
We continue searching.
Sir? Please, are you okay, sir?
[choking] I, uh... Water please.
[Ada] Drop it here and get water.
[Owiwi] Have I seen yours?
Let me see.
[tense music playing]
[choking]
He's burning up.
He needs a doctor.
Please.
Sir?
[choking]
Please, sir.
[choking]
[Lee Zhang groans]
Sir, sir, please.
[choking]
Sir, sir, please calm down.
[sirens wailing]
[music intensifies]
[gasping]
[wheezing]
[in French] He has a high fever.
[Pidgin] What are you saying?
[in English] He has high fever.
[in French]
If we don't take him out for treatment.
[in English]
He has to be taken out for trea...
He does not leave this plane.
- [in French] If he doesn't leave...
- [in English] He doesn't leave this plane.
He's going to die.
Please, please.
- Please, I'm begging you. Please, look...
- Hey, move back.
I said, move back.
[Lee Zhang coughs]
- [in French] He will die.
- Shh
[in English]
We have been on this plane for three days.
When do we start telling ourselves
the truth?
Iku, what truth are you talking about?
That we have failed. We have.
And we cannot continue
to let this people suffer.
It is not good.
Omar,
it is not too late for us
to do the right thing.
Hmm?
It is not too late.
Okay. Hey, wait here.
I'll let you know when you can go out.
[in French] Okay.
Okay, thank you. Thank you.
[in English] Shift.
[hopeful music playing]
[Martha] We have some great news.
The hijackers have released
women and children,
and they are walking into their freedom.
Ha-ah, Iyabo, why are you not packing up?
I'm not going.
Why not?
Our job is not done yet.
We leave when everyone has gone down.
She's right.
If she's staying,
I'm... I'm staying as well.
- Then I'm staying as well.
- I'll stay too.
Guys I... I can't stay.
My children, they need me.
It's okay.
- It's okay.
- [Iku] You, this way.
[Skipper] Move it, move it.
[Iku] Why is she waiting?
Move, move, move, move, move.
[Skipper] They're going too slow.
[Iku] Go. Move it.
- Hey, you can't go. Not you.
- What? Why?
- [Kayode] But we don't need her anymore.
- She interprets for us. Move.
- [Skipper] Who's next? Move.
- [Iku] Next person. Move it. Move it.
[sirens wailing]
Mr. Zhang,
we had to poison your food
to get you out.
No, bu... but not to worry, Dr. Moussa here
will give you the antidote to the poison.
[in French] It's already done, captain.
[in English] We've already done that.
In that case, you will be reunited
with your family in a couple of hours.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
You'll be fine, I told you.
So what happens now?
I don't know.
Do we surrender?
Surrender? Now? Surrender now?
Look around you. There's nothing.
Nothing left to fight for. We've lost.
We are still standing.
As long as we are still standing,
we have not lost.
But is it not what you said?
That they are never letting us
get out of this plane.
I don't know about the rest of you,
but I'm not going to die on this plane
with my family believing that
I was a terrorist.
[suspenseful music playing]
Guys,
I think I have a plan.
[in French]
Hello, Commander, can you hear me?
You can transfer the funds.
Hello?
Yes, I hear you clearly.
[in English] We are ready to release
the rest of the passengers, tell him.
[in French] They are ready
to let the rest of the passengers go.
This is good news.
[in English] He said it's good news.
They need to answer
our own terms and conditions.
First, we want
a reputable international journalist
to say our side of the story. Tell him.
[in French]
But you must agree to their terms.
First, they want to speak
with a reputable journalist
to tell their side of the story.
I need more time but that can be arranged.
[in English] He said it can be arranged.
[in Pidgin] Now, Let him promise
he won't take us back to Nigeria.
[in English] We want to be tried in Niger.
Tell him.
[in French] You must promise
that they won't be sent back to Nigeria.
They want to be tried
for their crimes in Niger.
Is that all?
- [in English] Is that all?
- [grunts] Yes, that is all.
[in French] That's all.
Then we have terms.
[in English] Stand up.
Move.
[music fades]
- We have agreed to surrender.
- [in Arabic] God is great.
[all cheering]
[man] Yes!
[all clapping]
[monotone distorted droning]
[inaudible]
[droning fades]
[in English] Drop your weapons. Drop it.
- Owiwi, what are you doing?
- Eruku, drop your weapon!
Drop it!
[Owiwi] Pick it up. Move, move,
move, back up, move, move, move!
[suspenseful music playing]
[Skipper] Owiwi, what are you doing?
[people screaming]
Get out! Get out!
[man in Yoruba] Help me! Jesus!
[in English]
Owiwi! Owiwi! Calm down, calm down.
Surrendering is for cowards.
I am not a coward.
Please, Owiwi, wait. Wait! Wait! Wait!
Wait, wait. There's a way out for us.
Owiwi, listen, listen!
- [people screaming]
- [gunshot]
[women screaming]
[suspenseful music continues]
Get a doctor! Get a doctor now!
[Kayode] Marie, please.
Save your breath, save your breath.
Stay with me.
Just stay with me, please.
Help! Stay with me, stay with me.
[sobbing] Please stay with me.
[hostess] Oh my God. Oh my God.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Kayode screaming]
[people screaming]
[Kayode growls]
[Owiwi wailing] No! No! No!
[somber music playing]
[sobbing]
[sobs]
[sirens wailing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- Shut up!
[soldiers shouting]
[gunshots]
[passengers screaming]
[passengers continue screaming]
[passengers cheering]
[dramatic music playing]
[screaming echoing]
[triumphant music playing]
[music fades]
Well, you can protest all you want,
but I'm not gonna leave here
without these boys.
Because that's the reason
I'm here in the first instance.
I just have to take them with me.
Captain, you don't seem to get it.
These boys are Nigerian citizens.
Therefore, they must face trial
for their crimes in Nigerian court.
You stand in the Niger soil, Captain.
You have no authority here.
[suspenseful music playing]
We'll sort this out one way or the other.
Let's go.
[in French] Take them in.
[breathing heavily]
[eerie music playing]
[child laughing]
No!
[engine starting]
[gentle piano music playing]
We know what you did.
Everyone here knows what you did.
[ominous music playing]
What... What... What is she talking about?
What... What did I do?
We know that you were working
with the terrorists.
You are under arrest.
Wait, wait, sir,
I'm not working with anybody.
I promise, I'm not working with anybody.
Ah! My hand... Wait...
- Thank you for your cooperation.
- You're welcome.
[hostess] Sir, I'm not.
- I don't know what she's talking about.
- [soldier] Shut up!
This word...
"Revolution..."
That is what makes a man a man.
Revolution!
When you go to sleep,
you dream "Revolution."
When you're awake,
you think "Revolution."
Revolution!
That is what makes a man a man.
- We go?
- [men] We go!
- We go?
- [men] We go!
[dramatic music playing]
Finally, it's all over.
[chuckling]
- Now we can finally get married.
- Yes! [chuckling]
[ominous music playing]
[dramatic music playing]
[in Nigerian Pidgin]
This life is full of ups and downs
I'm tired of these problems
I'm tired of life o
What is it?
No work, no food
No house, no light
The little water they supply
Is full of dirt...
[suspenseful music playing]
[man in English] In a few years from now,
some of you will become fathers.
Fathers of children. Boys, girls.
Now, how would you look
your children in the face,
and tell those children
that you did nothing.
You just sat back, folded your arms,
and watched their future snatched
away from them by greedy bastards.
They'll call you irresponsible parents.
For each one that falls,
a thousand more shall rise in his place.
And we shall fight
and rid our country of oppression.
- Are you all ready to fight?
- Yes, sir!
Are you ready
to give your life for change?
Yes, sir!
I have an assignment for you,
and I need four volunteers.
You, step out.
You, out.
You, out.
You, out.
[upbeat jazz music playing]
[birds chirping]
Captain Ambrose,
we have an announcement.
- Yeah?
- I asked Ada to marry me.
- And of course I said yes!
- Wow. Congratulations.
Thank you.
- Welcome to the club.
- Thank you.
We'll party when we get to Abuja.
- [all chuckling]
- No problem, sir.
[inaudible]
[inaudible]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman in Igbo] Dear God!
[in English]
I... I get the jitters when I fly.
[man coughing]
You don't look Igbo.
A lot of people say that, actually.
I'm... I'm Wolof.
Because my father is from Senegal
and my mother is from Enugu.
So she taught me
to write and to read in Igbo.
[inaudible]
[tense music playing]
[inaudible]
[whoosh, thud]
[exhales shuddering breath]
[intercom chimes]
[captain] Attention, passengers,
we are experiencing some delay.
We will take off shortly.
[woman 1] What!
- [woman 2] God! [sucks teeth]
- [woman 1] What is the meaning of this?
- [woman 2] For how long?
- [woman 1 sucks teeth]
[woman 3] What sort of nonsense is this?
[woman 4] Who is this one? Ha!
Sir, please...
[in Igbo] Can you imagine!
Do you see what I see?
They delayed our flight for a boy that's
not old enough to grow hair on his chest.
- [hostess in English] Sir...
- [Igbo man] Wonders shall never end.
[hostess] Settle down.
We'll be taking off shortly.
- Please bear with us.
- [woman 1 in Pidgin] It's all right.
[captain] Flight is ready for take-off.
Thank you for your patience.
[woman 2 in Pidgin] Finally o! Finally.
[woman 3 scoffs]
[in English] Beautiful.
Well, you're... You're beautiful.
Thank you.
Oh! Can I see?
Owiwi, Skipper, Eruku and Iku.
What kind of names are these?
They are nicknames.
"Owiwi" means owl,
"Eruku" is smoke, and "Iku" means death.
Sounds intense.
Are they comic characters?
You are talented.
Thank you.
[tense music playing]
[inaudible]
[mouthing] Thank you.
[clock ticking]
[tense music continues]
Hi, excuse me. Um, sir, please,
you shouldn't be up here. Please.
But, sir, please, with all due respect,
can you please go back to your seat?
[tense music continues]
[woman screaming]
[child screams] Mommy!
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a bomb...
- There is a bomb in this plane.
- [people screaming]
If you want to live,
you're going to listen to me.
- [in Hausa] Hey!
- [in English] Stand down! Go back!
[woman screaming]
Get back!
If not I will blow your heads off.
[hijacker] Who is that?!
Hey! If you pick it, I will...
Move back! Sit!
[Captain Ambrose] Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
We have hijackers onboard. Mayday!
Mayday! Mayday! Please advise. Mayday!
Emergency services are on standby,
clear her to land.
All right, copied.
Nigeria Airways WT470, surface wind 320
at 06, clear to land runway 06.
Emergency service on standby.
[intercom ringing]
If you don't do it,
we will pour the petrol on you.
- [all wailing] No!
- And this plane will go, "kaboom!"
- [man] Gun!
- [men grunting]
[ominous music playing]
[men grunting]
[hijacker 1] Sit down!
- Fasten your seatbelt.
- Settle down, everyone!
This plane is landing.
[women crying]
[hijacker 2] This plane must not land!
[women crying]
[hijacker 2] You think I'm a coward?
Move! Move!
- [hijacker 2] Open this door.
- Captain!
[hijacker 2] Are you going to open
the door or not? Open it! Shut up!
Open the door.
- Let's go.
- [hostess] No!
Think about the consequences
of opening that door.
But if I don't, you know what happens.
I'm not gonna let that happen.
Sit! Sit! Sit!
Return to the sky now.
[tense music playing]
- We have the plane under control, Skipper.
- It's too early to celebrate.
Captain, I would like to talk to everyone
on the plane,
and I would like to talk to them now.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is not your captain speaking.
We are the Movement
for the Advancement of Democracy,
- and this aircraft is under our control.
- [woman whimpers]
We demand an end to an oppressive regime
that has stolen the collective wealth
of many just for the gain of a few.
We give the Nigerian Government
seventy-two hours
to reinstate
our democratically elected president.
We are not terrorists...
but we are prepared to do whatever
it takes
- to reclaim our stolen mandate.
- [woman] Ahhh!
And with God on our side,
the people's will shall prevail.
Power to the people.
- Power to the people.
- Power to the people.
[woman] Jesus!
[woman speaking indistinctly]
- Owiwi, you are in charge.
- Yes! Yes! Yes, sir.
Hey! Hey!
Take us to Frankfurt.
Your mission is simple.
You seize control of the plane
and force the pilot to land in Frankfurt.
And that is
where your new lives await you.
And if it doesn't go according to plan?
Sometimes,
it takes great risk and great sacrifice.
Give me your hand.
We do this for the love of Fatherland.
- We go?
- We go!
- We go?
- We go!
- We go?
- We go!
Let's do it!
[music intensifies]
This is Captain Ambrose,
Nigerian Airways 470,
requesting permission to land.
We need to refuel.
Kotoka control tower, please come in.
This is Captain Ambrose, Nigerian Airways.
Kotoka control tower,
we need permission to land to refuel.
This is an emergency.
We have to refuel.
Can't you see what's going on?
The Nigerian government is blocking
our chances of landing anywhere.
The only option
we have right now is to go back.
We cannot go back.
We can't land without clearance.
And if we don't land anytime soon,
we're going to crash.
- Land the plane! Land the plane!
- Sit down!
- No I'm not going to sit down!
- I said, sit down!
- Land the plane! I am not going to sit.
- Sit down!
[man groans]
Diori Hamani Control Tower,
this is Captain Ambrose, Nigerian Airways,
requesting permission to land.
It's an emergency.
[people screaming]
[in French] Nigeria Airways flight WT470,
this is Diori Hamani, permission refused.
[breathes heavily]
[in English] We do not speak French.
We have passengers aboard,
and we need to land to refuel.
Please, this is an emergency.
[in French] What do we do?
They shouldn't land this plane here.
Let them be someone else's problem.
[in English]
Come in, Diori Hamani Control Tower.
Please, we need a response.
This is a matter of life and death.
Please.
- Land this plane now, Captain.
- We need clearance.
I said, land this plane now...
or I shoot him.
Make your decision now, Captain.
Diori Hamani Control Tower,
we are landing.
This is an emergency.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please fasten your seatbelts.
We are about to land.
- [hijacker] Hey!
- Don't touch me.
You are having a panic attack.
Let me help. Please.
No! [panting]
[women screaming]
[indistinct chatter]
Jesus!
[people screaming]
[tires screeching]
[people continue screaming]
[sirens wailing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[engine roaring]
[suspenseful continues music playing]
[siren wailing]
- [woman] Ha-a! What is this?
- [baby crying]
Hey! It's gasoline.
- They are going to set the plane on fire.
- [Owiwi] That's your problem!
You think I'm a coward, huh?
You think I'm a coward?
Owiwi, calm down. What are you doing?
[woman crying] Please, please. Please.
Please, don't do this.
Madam,
if the soldiers attack us,
we will have only one option.
[crying] Please, don't kill her.
This is the only option. Huh!
[woman crying]
Pray, madam. Pray.
- There has to be another way.
- There's no other way.
[Skipper] Calm down! Calm down!
What are you... What are you doing?
The teacher chose you to be Skipper,
it has to be you.
Burn this plane down!
No, we have hostages. We can use them
to negotiate with the soldiers.
We are in Niger, Kayode. The only English
they understand is "Shoot and kill."
Owiwi, calm down.
We're just supposed to scare them.
You're becoming too violent.
If you are not gonna do it, I'll...
[Kayode] Wait! Wait!
[people shouting]
Look, what we need is an interpreter.
Oh, start the interview.
Start the interview.
So we can recruit someone
who speaks French on this plane.
Start the interview, Kayode.
[people continue screaming]
I know someone who speaks French.
[French] Have you
established communication with the plane?
Not yet, Captain.
Nigeria Airways flight WT470,
we have you surrounded,
and you have no chance.
Surrender at once.
[adventurous music playing]
Hello. Is anyone there?
- Who are you?
- One of the hostages on the plane.
How many hijackers are onboard?
[in English]
How many hijackers onboard?
I want to speak to the man in charge.
[in French]
- They want to speak to the man in charge.
- I am the man in control.
- [in English] He's the man in charge.
- Good.
Tell him to tell all his men to back off.
[in French] They want you
to tell your men to back off,
or they will kill everyone onboard.
The National Gendarmerie of Niger
doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
Understood?
[in English] He said that
he doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
Everybody on this plane is going to die.
Tell him.
[in French] Everyone will die
if you don't get your men to back off.
The passengers on that plane
are not Nigerien citizens.
Why should I care
about the fate of strangers?
[in English] He said he doesn't care
because we are not Nigeriens.
Tell him to look outside the plane.
[in French] Look outside the plane.
[suspenseful music playing]
He will kill her!
He will kill everyone on this plane!
[in English] Back off now!
[in French] Could you live with yourself
if you let everyone die?
Captain, do you have children?
I'm only 22 years old.
I still have my whole life ahead of me.
Please don't let me die.
[Captain Gana] Do not fire.
I repeat, do not fire.
[Owiwi in English] Back off now!
[in French] Everyone, stand down.
[in English] Get out!
What are you doing?!
- Wha... Wha... What are you doing?
- Get out, Omar!
- [Kayode] Hey, are you okay?
- [Skipper] You're making rash decisions.
- Ben, you're making rash decisions.
- [Owiwi] I will negotiate.
- You call this negoti...
- Negotiated!
What's wrong with you?!
Huh?! What's wrong with you?!
Let go of me. Let go of me!
If they weren't thinking
we were terrorists, they will now!
Kayode... Kayode...
This is Martha Ball
reporting live from Niger Republic.
I'm standing a few meters away
from Nigerian Airways aircraft
that has been commandeered by terrorists.
Currently, according to the situation,
the demand of the terrorists unknown.
But don't worry, we will keep you updated
as soon as possible
because everything is under control.
As you can see, the Nigerian Army
and the Nigerien Air Force
is being deployed.
[helicopter hovering]
[adventurous music playing]
[sirens wailing]
Captain Kenneth Dokunbo,
Commander, Special Forces Nigerian Army.
Can we talk privately?
[music fades]
How is the situation here?
Everything is under control.
Owiwi?
[in English and Pidgin] Owiwi!
You are too hot-blooded.
You have to calm down a bit.
- I got the soldiers to retreat.
- You should know it won't work...
[in English] Then I don't understand.
I don't see any problem, Omar.
Now listen to me.
I don't know what is wrong with you.
I'm in charge of everybody on this flight,
and I won't have you
jeopardize this mission.
It's either you fall back
or I'll be forced to take action.
[in Pidgin] What's wrong with you?
[in English]
Can I use the men's room please?
[in Pidgin] Don't worry, I'll take him.
[suspenseful music playing]
[in English]
We have a high value asset in that plane.
His name is Lee Zhang.
The son of the Chinese ambassador
to Nigeria.
Do we know anything at all
about the hijackers? Anything at all?
They want us
to refuel the tank of the plane,
otherwise, he starts killing hostage.
We cannot let that plane
get back into the skies.
I'm sure you have a plan,
Captain.
[music fades]
I have a business proposal for you.
[intriguing music playing]
I have ten thousand dollars
in my briefcase,
and it is all yours
if you get me off this plane.
I... I... I do that and the money is mine?
The coolest and easiest money
you will ever make in your life.
How did you get such a fortune?
I am a very important person
in this country.
I am Honorable Abdulazeez Yari,
Chief Judge,
Federal High Court of Nigeria.
So, do we have a deal?
Now you get your hands off me.
Tell me, Mr. Judge,
how many innocent lives
did you trade for that bag of money?
[choking]
You're not so powerful now, eh?
You think money makes you untouchable?
You think it makes you invincible?
You all just dress up
and call yourself honorable,
but there's nothing honorable
about a thief.
Please, have mercy.
I have no compassion for thieves.
[laughs gleefully]
You're not so untouchable, hey?
- Please.
- Get out!
Good evening, fellow Nigerians.
At 0900 hours this morning,
a Nigerian airways flight
from Lagos to Abuja was hijacked.
And unfortunately, the aircraft is still
under the control of the hijackers.
[door opening]
[in Pidgin] Boss, the soldiers are here.
[in English]
What do you mean? How did they get here?
Boss, you need to start leaving right now.
- How did they know we are here?
- Boss, you need to start moving.
Take every important document here, eh?
I'll watch the door. Move, move quickly.
You got it, you got it.
[announcer over radio] The general public
is hereby advised to stay calm,
as the government...
Bisi!
...is working towards a peaceful resolution.
Yes, Mommy?
[in Yoruba]
Pack all these items into the shop.
We need to close the shop now.
[horns blaring]
[in English] God will not let us see evil
in this country.
[suspenseful music playing]
AK, we need to do something.
I know.
I have a plan.
[music fades]
Your time is up.
- [Kayode] What?
- You're not like the others.
We are not bad people.
Do you think good people
hold people like this against their will?
I know. But what we do,
we do for a righteous cause.
What other lies have they sold you?
That you guys are heroes?
I never claimed to be one.
I've seen your drawing.
Do you know
what my country does to heroes?
Hmm?
They shoot them,
then throw them out on the streets to rot.
And if you're lucky,
you get locked in the cage
until you're forgotten.
It will take
more than just heroes to win this fight.
It will take evil
to defeat a greater evil.
You know,
once you let evil into your home,
it brings the rest of its family along.
[man] Imprisoned for a crime
you did not even commit.
One week in that place
and you did not break.
[intriguing music playing]
I know some men who will give up
their own mothers for that.
You see that kind of loyalty...
[chuckles] ...is extremely hard
to find these days.
What... What do you want?
I want to restore the power
they stole from you.
A real man does not give up
what belongs to him.
He fights to keep it.
And I know that you can fight.
Because you are a real man.
I want you to fight back.
Restore the power
that they stole from you.
[music continues playing]
[music fades]
[Owiwi yawns]
[sucks teeth]
These people still haven't brought
the fuel.
It doesn't matter.
This has always been
a one way trip for me.
You know,
it's funny how other than our names,
we know nothing about each other.
[bittersweet music playing]
This is my baby girl,
Ifeoluwa.
[in English and Yoruba] I call her
"her father's daughter."
[in English] "The apple of my eyes."
She's very beautiful.
Thank you.
So why aren't you home
with Ife and Mommy Ife?
I, um...
That is a story for... for another day.
[music becomes tense]
[music intensifies]
[adventurous music playing]
[men grunting]
[people shouting]
[man] What happened?
[Skipper grunting]
[woman] Jesus! Jesus!
[hijacker] That's it! Leave him!
[AK] Do you know how to use that gun?
[gun cocking]
[hijacker] Trust me, I never miss.
So, leave him!
[Owiwi] Let him go or I shoot him.
[AK grunting]
- [Skipper] Come here!
- [man] Stop!
Do you have any storage with any lock?
- [hostess] There's one at the back.
- [Skipper] Show us now! Take them!
Move! Move! Move!
- [hijacker] I said, move!
- [AK grunting]
[reporter on radio]
...as the government is working tirelessly
towards a peaceful resolution.
So these boys
just wasted their lives for nothing?
These boys are heroes. Eh!
Because it takes courage
to look death in the face
and demand to be heard.
There is nothing like
looking death in the face here.
These boys,
they are nothing but spoiled children.
Eh-eh, eh-eh, Bobby,
- I understand that you are a coward.
- Eh! Me?
That is why you come to the bar every day,
looking for courage inside the bottle.
Me, I salute these boys.
I salute them for their courage.
[tense music playing]
[Martha] At the moment it appears
everyone's in the dark
about what's going on inside the plane.
But the question that remains,
will today be the day
the hostages regain their freedom?
How do you think
these hijackers beat airport security?
And if they had to take any hostage,
it will be Ada.
Because they knew I won't let her die.
Ambrose,
that means that one of the cabin crew
is working with the hijackers.
The only question is...
who?
[Skipper] Does he listen when you pray?
- Yes.
- [Skipper scoffs]
Well, he never answered any of mine.
What did you pray for?
My mother.
[in Yoruba] Mom...
[in English]
...truly, your soul waited upon God.
From him cometh your salvation.
He only is your rock
and your salvation.
Sorry.
Mommy, sorry.
Ma...
[somber music playing]
[sobbing] Father, please, I beg you.
[crying]
Father, I pray...
I prayed for my grandfather
but he died. I beg you.
Father, she is the only one I have left.
I beg you, have mercy, please.
God, please.
[in Yoruba] Lord, have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, please, please.
[in English]
Well, he turned his back on me,
and I turned mine on him.
Deuteronomy 31, verse eight.
Hey, did you hear that?
[Kayode] The fuel truck is here.
It's coming. It's the end.
[hopeful music playing]
- On your knees.
- [Owiwi] Yes!
[Skipper] Captain, take us to Frankfurt.
Look, the fuel they gave us is just enough
to power the radio, AC, the lights.
It cannot fly us anywhere.
Don't, don't play games with us.
- Get this plane off the ground now!
- Look, he's telling the truth.
Nigerian Airways!
[music becomes tense]
They're never going
to let us leave this place.
[Captain Dokunbo]
Flight WT470, can you hear me?
- Roger that. I...
- Hey! Hey! Give me that.
Who is this?
Captain Kenneth Dokunbo, Nigerian Army.
I have been sent
to negotiate your immediate surrender.
Surrender? We will only surrender
when a new government is sworn into power.
Fair enough.
Your demands will be passed down
to the appropriate quarters.
In the meantime, I have ten names
that I want to negotiate
their immediate release.
Why negotiate
for only ten passengers?
Ah-ah! What about the rest of us?
[in Igbo] What is this?
- [in Yoruba] Shut up!
- [in Hausa] Don't escalate the situation.
[in English] You hear me, huh?
Keep quiet, everybody.
We don't want any noise.
Why are the lives of ten passengers worth
more than the lives of over two hundred?
Listen, I am a soldier.
I don't ask questions. I do what I'm told.
Then stand in this fight with us.
In a democratic society, we can demand
a better life for every Nigerian.
Is that not what we all want?
We have your families in custody.
If you surrender now,
they will not be harmed.
He's lying!
Look, Ho... How do we know
you're telling the truth?
Meet me outside the aircraft,
and I'll show you evidence.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Skipper.
- Yeah?
Are we doing this?
Nah. It could be a trap.
What are you talking about?
We need to know if they have our families.
So we're doing this.
Who is brave enough
to go out there to meet him?
- Um, I...
- I'll do it.
Look, Owiwi.
You do not need to prove anything to us.
- I'm not doing this for you, Kayode.
- [Skipper] Guys! Guys!
Calm down and talk to them.
Be safe.
[door opening]
If it turns out to be a trap,
avenge me.
[suspenseful music continues]
Benjamin Alabi,
your father
was arrested yesterday at 1900 hours.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [people laughing]
[paper rustling]
That is the consequence of your actions.
[eerie music playing]
The names of the hostages.
You'll release them to me immediately,
alongside any two soldiers of your choice,
and no further harm
will come to your families.
[eerie music playing]
[drum roll]
[Kayode] What did he want?
[Owiwi] That is my father.
This changes everything.
- We have a situation.
- What?
The captain and I believe that a member
of the cabin crew has been compromised.
Compromised? How?
We think someone is working
with the terrorists.
Babe, I have known these girls
for a very, very long time.
- They would never do such a thing.
- Ada! Ada! Ada!
- Yes?
- Trust me,
someone is. And I need your help
to find out who it is.
Ada,
you're the only one I can trust.
I hear you. So, what do you need me to do?
How did they learn about our identities
and find our families so quickly?
But we have to decide if we are willing
to sacrifice everything for this cause.
- [Kayode] Owiwi! Owiwi!
- Hey! Hey!
[Skipper] Leave him.
[eerie music playing]
[music distorts]
[Man 1]
So the red wine, how many are there here?
[Man 2] What the...
[Owiwi] Sorry.
Are you stupid? Get out of here!
Please, I'm so sorry.
I'll get someone to clean this right away.
I'll be right back.
- I'm so sorry sir. I'm sorry.
- That's okay. That's okay.
Take up your sleeves, let me see.
Come on, take it.
Your father did this?
I can teach you how to defend yourself.
That way, nobody can mess up with you.
- You hear me?
- [sobs]
Come.
Now wipe your tears. Men don't cry. Okay?
Now listen, men do what men should do.
Men stand and fight back.
[distortion of music continues]
[distorted music fades]
Hey! Hey! Is he still there?
[Owiwi] He is not going to leave
until he gets what he wants.
Why not let them decide?
To do what?
To choose captivity,
this over their freedom?
To choose humanity.
To stand for what is right.
You think they'll choose to stay?
I have faith.
Then you don't know your people.
Look, maybe I don't know people.
But deep down,
I believe people can be good.
[Skipper] Ladies and gentlemen,
the government has arrested our families
and is demanding your immediate release,
or they'll keep torturing them.
[Kayode]
That is what this government does.
Oppress, bully, and torture.
I thought the next generation
was to be championed
by serious thinkers, innovators.
Holding men, women
and children is hardly ever innovative.
And now asking them to save you,
is to say the least, pathetic.
[suspenseful music playing]
And to think that you expect us
to hand over the keys of this kingdom
to the likes of you?
You are brash, rebellious.
Rebelliousness breeds chaos.
Are so blinded by greed
that you turn a blind to this injustice?
See how quickly they resort to violence.
If we let them,
they will put this plane on fire
with everyone in it.
I have no sympathy for terrorists.
Who will stand with us?
Who will stand with us?
Nobody?
What did you expect?
The rich in this country only care
about themselves and nobody else.
[chuckles disdainfully]
Since I was a kid,
I was taught to see everyone as equal.
All lives matter.
- I stand with you all.
- Thank you.
Anyone else?
Okay.
Lee Zhang.
Elizabeth and Joanna Abubakar.
Abigail John.
Judge Abdulazeez Tanko.
Are we really going
to let these people go?
Are you willing to risk the lives
of your father
and that of our families,
on such an expensive gamble?
We don't have a choice.
Ben Johnson.
[percussion music playing rhythmically]
Halima Danjuma.
[engine roaring]
[man] Welcome back, soldier.
They're not gonna authorize
any operation until they are satisfied,
that the Chinese ambassador's son
is out of danger.
With all due respect, sir,
those boys are untrained,
I believe we can handle them.
They are not coordinated.
Would you care to explain to me
how those boys, untrained boys,
were able to subdue
four trained military officers?
How? How did they do it?
If we are gonna take down
those terrorists,
we have to get that boy,
Lee Zhang, out of that plane.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, sir!
- Do you follow?
- Yes, sir!
[suspenseful music]
My people!
[in Yoruba] For God's sake...
[in English]
...if we want to leave here alive,
we need to work together.
[in Pidgin]
This is not the time to be afraid, please.
[chuckles and scoffs]
Igbo man, did I say something funny?
[in English]
Imagine a Yoruba man talking about fear.
Everyone knows that you people are
the cowards we have in this country.
My brother...
[in Pidgin] ...you this mommy's boy,
Don't believe the propaganda
and the nonsense people say.
[in English] Me! Your brother?
I'm not your brother.
[in Igbo] My name is Mazi Chinedu Igbokwe.
[in English] My name is
Mazi Chinedu Igbokwe, not Segun.
If you're looking for your brother,
go and meet your real brothers,
the terrorists,
and tell them to let us go.
Enough!
Why are we fighting each other
when we should channel that energy
to fighting the terrorists?
Sister, can't you see that they have guns?
[in Yoruba] Oh! Lazy man,
[in English] Now you know they have guns.
- Calling me a coward.
- [in Igbo] Come on, get out!
[in English] It is not cowardice,
it's common sense.
Madam, what is wrong?
My stomach is biting me.
Don't worry,
I will get you what to eat. Huh?
[suspenseful music playing]
Can I trust you?
I heard there's one more soldier left
on the plane.
[hostess] Your food, sir.
[man 1] Thank you.
- [hostess] Your food.
- [man 2] Thank you.
[Marie] Thank you.
It's called Dambou.
It's made with wheat and moringa leaves,
and the onions and the meat are raw.
[scoffs] That's my problem with Nigerians.
You guys never wanna try something new.
Try first.
You see? It's not bad.
[adventurous music playing]
[in French]
The hijackers are just children.
It doesn't excuse their actions.
I have a boy of that age at home.
If my son took my gun
and went out to rob a bank or a school,
does it not mean
I've failed in my duties as a father?
- Iyabo.
- Hmm?
[in English] I heard that
soldiers are trying
to board the plane this night.
What?
- When?
- Yes, tonight.
How would they board the plane?
[woman screaming]
Mrs. Blessing, hold my hand.
- Mrs. Blessing, just breathe.
- What happened?
I think she's going into labor.
What?
What is the problem?
Just breathe.
- Somebody, talk to me. What's the problem?
- I think she is going into labor.
You people should shift back.
Is there a doctor here?
Speak to me, somebody.
Is there a doctor here? Huh?
Hey, you, go downstairs now.
Look for a doctor.
Please, is there a doctor on board?
Is anyone here a doctor?
Please, is there a doctor on board?
Is anyone here a doctor? Please!
Is anyone a doc... You are a doctor?
Yes, yes, I'm a doctor.
Doctor Godwin Osagie. I'm a dentist.
No! No! No! No! We need a real doctor!
Is anyone a real doctor on board?
- [woman 1] What is the emergency?
- Someone upstairs is in labor.
I need a doctor, please. Anybody!
[woman 2] I... I'm a midwife.
- You're a midwife?
- [woman 2] Yes.
Please come with me, please. Please hurry.
- [in Pidgin] Let me through.
- Please.
Let me through, please.
- [man] Hurry! Hurry!
- [in English] Please come.
[music stops]
You're really good with him.
I have had the experience.
You lost someone you love.
[heartfelt piano music playing]
How can you tell?
I heard the others call you "Iku."
"Iku" means death.
Yes, my daughter.
How did she die?
[gunshots]
[Iku] Our neighborhood was terrorised
by thugs for many years.
[gunshots]
There was a shootout one fateful day.
[rapid gunshots]
[in Yoruba] What's going on, Dayo?
Answer me.
Huh?
There's chaos everywhere.
Everyone is just shooting.
I don't even understand it anymore.
[woman panting]
My daughter!
[banging on door]
[somber music playing]
[banging continues]
[women 2 crying]
[sobbing]
What happened?
[somber music playing]
[music continues playing with no sound]
[in English] My baby girl was killed.
Like... Like she doesn't mean anything
to anyone.
Like no one cares about her.
I'm so sorry.
That same day,
my baby girl died.
My life ended that same day.
Holding on to grief
is like stuffing your pockets with stones,
and going out to swim.
I don't...
I don't know how to stop hurting.
All you have to do is let go.
That's all. [sobs]
[emotionally] Take him.
[music fades]
Everybody, bring out your ID
or any means of identification
you have on you. Now.
[hostess] Please,
what exactly are we searching for?
Please, you need to tell me,
so that I can assist you with the search.
There is a soldier disguised as a civilian
on this plane. Uh-huh.
and he might have guns in his bags. Huh?
I understand, I understand.
Now get to work.
- [Owiwi] Have I seen yours?
- No.
Show me.
Guys,
we've searched the entire economy cabin,
we couldn't find anything.
Everyone on this plane
seems to be who they claim to be.
We continue searching.
Sir? Please, are you okay, sir?
[choking] I, uh... Water please.
[Ada] Drop it here and get water.
[Owiwi] Have I seen yours?
Let me see.
[tense music playing]
[choking]
He's burning up.
He needs a doctor.
Please.
Sir?
[choking]
Please, sir.
[choking]
[Lee Zhang groans]
Sir, sir, please.
[choking]
Sir, sir, please calm down.
[sirens wailing]
[music intensifies]
[gasping]
[wheezing]
[in French] He has a high fever.
[Pidgin] What are you saying?
[in English] He has high fever.
[in French]
If we don't take him out for treatment.
[in English]
He has to be taken out for trea...
He does not leave this plane.
- [in French] If he doesn't leave...
- [in English] He doesn't leave this plane.
He's going to die.
Please, please.
- Please, I'm begging you. Please, look...
- Hey, move back.
I said, move back.
[Lee Zhang coughs]
- [in French] He will die.
- Shh
[in English]
We have been on this plane for three days.
When do we start telling ourselves
the truth?
Iku, what truth are you talking about?
That we have failed. We have.
And we cannot continue
to let this people suffer.
It is not good.
Omar,
it is not too late for us
to do the right thing.
Hmm?
It is not too late.
Okay. Hey, wait here.
I'll let you know when you can go out.
[in French] Okay.
Okay, thank you. Thank you.
[in English] Shift.
[hopeful music playing]
[Martha] We have some great news.
The hijackers have released
women and children,
and they are walking into their freedom.
Ha-ah, Iyabo, why are you not packing up?
I'm not going.
Why not?
Our job is not done yet.
We leave when everyone has gone down.
She's right.
If she's staying,
I'm... I'm staying as well.
- Then I'm staying as well.
- I'll stay too.
Guys I... I can't stay.
My children, they need me.
It's okay.
- It's okay.
- [Iku] You, this way.
[Skipper] Move it, move it.
[Iku] Why is she waiting?
Move, move, move, move, move.
[Skipper] They're going too slow.
[Iku] Go. Move it.
- Hey, you can't go. Not you.
- What? Why?
- [Kayode] But we don't need her anymore.
- She interprets for us. Move.
- [Skipper] Who's next? Move.
- [Iku] Next person. Move it. Move it.
[sirens wailing]
Mr. Zhang,
we had to poison your food
to get you out.
No, bu... but not to worry, Dr. Moussa here
will give you the antidote to the poison.
[in French] It's already done, captain.
[in English] We've already done that.
In that case, you will be reunited
with your family in a couple of hours.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
You'll be fine, I told you.
So what happens now?
I don't know.
Do we surrender?
Surrender? Now? Surrender now?
Look around you. There's nothing.
Nothing left to fight for. We've lost.
We are still standing.
As long as we are still standing,
we have not lost.
But is it not what you said?
That they are never letting us
get out of this plane.
I don't know about the rest of you,
but I'm not going to die on this plane
with my family believing that
I was a terrorist.
[suspenseful music playing]
Guys,
I think I have a plan.
[in French]
Hello, Commander, can you hear me?
You can transfer the funds.
Hello?
Yes, I hear you clearly.
[in English] We are ready to release
the rest of the passengers, tell him.
[in French] They are ready
to let the rest of the passengers go.
This is good news.
[in English] He said it's good news.
They need to answer
our own terms and conditions.
First, we want
a reputable international journalist
to say our side of the story. Tell him.
[in French]
But you must agree to their terms.
First, they want to speak
with a reputable journalist
to tell their side of the story.
I need more time but that can be arranged.
[in English] He said it can be arranged.
[in Pidgin] Now, Let him promise
he won't take us back to Nigeria.
[in English] We want to be tried in Niger.
Tell him.
[in French] You must promise
that they won't be sent back to Nigeria.
They want to be tried
for their crimes in Niger.
Is that all?
- [in English] Is that all?
- [grunts] Yes, that is all.
[in French] That's all.
Then we have terms.
[in English] Stand up.
Move.
[music fades]
- We have agreed to surrender.
- [in Arabic] God is great.
[all cheering]
[man] Yes!
[all clapping]
[monotone distorted droning]
[inaudible]
[droning fades]
[in English] Drop your weapons. Drop it.
- Owiwi, what are you doing?
- Eruku, drop your weapon!
Drop it!
[Owiwi] Pick it up. Move, move,
move, back up, move, move, move!
[suspenseful music playing]
[Skipper] Owiwi, what are you doing?
[people screaming]
Get out! Get out!
[man in Yoruba] Help me! Jesus!
[in English]
Owiwi! Owiwi! Calm down, calm down.
Surrendering is for cowards.
I am not a coward.
Please, Owiwi, wait. Wait! Wait! Wait!
Wait, wait. There's a way out for us.
Owiwi, listen, listen!
- [people screaming]
- [gunshot]
[women screaming]
[suspenseful music continues]
Get a doctor! Get a doctor now!
[Kayode] Marie, please.
Save your breath, save your breath.
Stay with me.
Just stay with me, please.
Help! Stay with me, stay with me.
[sobbing] Please stay with me.
[hostess] Oh my God. Oh my God.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Kayode screaming]
[people screaming]
[Kayode growls]
[Owiwi wailing] No! No! No!
[somber music playing]
[sobbing]
[sobs]
[sirens wailing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- Shut up!
[soldiers shouting]
[gunshots]
[passengers screaming]
[passengers continue screaming]
[passengers cheering]
[dramatic music playing]
[screaming echoing]
[triumphant music playing]
[music fades]
Well, you can protest all you want,
but I'm not gonna leave here
without these boys.
Because that's the reason
I'm here in the first instance.
I just have to take them with me.
Captain, you don't seem to get it.
These boys are Nigerian citizens.
Therefore, they must face trial
for their crimes in Nigerian court.
You stand in the Niger soil, Captain.
You have no authority here.
[suspenseful music playing]
We'll sort this out one way or the other.
Let's go.
[in French] Take them in.
[breathing heavily]
[eerie music playing]
[child laughing]
No!
[engine starting]
[gentle piano music playing]
We know what you did.
Everyone here knows what you did.
[ominous music playing]
What... What... What is she talking about?
What... What did I do?
We know that you were working
with the terrorists.
You are under arrest.
Wait, wait, sir,
I'm not working with anybody.
I promise, I'm not working with anybody.
Ah! My hand... Wait...
- Thank you for your cooperation.
- You're welcome.
[hostess] Sir, I'm not.
- I don't know what she's talking about.
- [soldier] Shut up!
This word...
"Revolution..."
That is what makes a man a man.
Revolution!
When you go to sleep,
you dream "Revolution."
When you're awake,
you think "Revolution."
Revolution!
That is what makes a man a man.
- We go?
- [men] We go!
- We go?
- [men] We go!
[dramatic music playing]
Finally, it's all over.
[chuckling]
- Now we can finally get married.
- Yes! [chuckling]
[ominous music playing]
[dramatic music playing]