Unruly Ibom Air passenger remanded in Kirikiri, banned from airline
An Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court and remanded in Kirikiri prison following a violent altercation with the airline’s crew on a Uyo–Lagos flight.
Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development on Monday via X, cautioning air travelers to exercise restraint while flying.
Ibom Air, in a statement, confirmed that Ms. Emmanson’s actions on Sunday, August 10, 2025, endangered the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft. The airline explained that she had refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off despite repeated instructions, only complying after another passenger intervened.
Upon arrival in Lagos, she allegedly confronted the Purser who had given the earlier instruction, assaulting her physically by stepping on her, tearing off her wig, removing her glasses, and striking her with footwear. She also slapped another crew member who tried to intervene.
The airline further alleged that Ms. Emmanson attempted to seize a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, which could have caused significant damage to the aircraft. Airport security was alerted, but before they arrived, she continued the assault and later attacked both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel.
She was eventually restrained, forcibly removed from the aircraft, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by FAAN security for further investigation.
Ibom Air stated that it has reported the matter to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and imposed a permanent travel ban on Ms. Emmanson.
The airline reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew, warning that unruly behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
