Ibom Air Shares Details as Officials Drag Passenger Out of Aircraft, Announces Punishment
- Ibom Air has released a statement on the incident involving one of its passengers, Ms. Comfort Emmanson
- The incident, the airline said, kicked off after the passenger refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff
- Ibom Air is owned by Akwa Ibom State, said it has reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
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Ibom Air has explained the events that led to Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger, being forcibly removed from its Uyo-Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
A video surfaced online showing the passenger being dragged out by cabin crew and also airport officials.
Source: Twitter
This is the second incident in just a week involving a passenger and an airline after a row at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, involving veteran Fuji musician Kwam 1.
Ibom Air bans passenger behaviour
In a statement on Monday, August 11, Ibom Air said that Emmanson refused to comply with standard aviation safety procedures.
It added that despite repeated instructions from the flight crew and an announcement by the Pilot-in-Command, the passenger ignored the directive until another passenger intervened to turn off her device.
For the unruly behaviour, the airline has imposed a permanent travel ban, preventing her from flying with the airline in the future.
Part of the statement reads:
This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
"Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser who had earlier instructed her.
"She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.
"She slapped her several times and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft."
The airline added that her aggression persisted, necessitating intervention by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security, who handed her over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Source: Getty Images
Passenger faces legal fight
In response to the incident, Ibom Air said it has submitted a formal report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The airline noted:
"Ms. Emmanson, who will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft.
"Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment. Such behaviour will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services.
"Safety remains our highest priority. We urge all passengers to comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board."
NCAA reacts as passenger fights with cabin crew
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Michael Achimugu, director of consumer affairs at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has asked passengers to always follow "simple routine issues".
Achimugu's advice comes after a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, to Lagos, caused a scene at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday, August 10, assaulting an air hostess and confronting airport officials.
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Source: Legit.ng
