Nigerians React as Video of Passengers' Encounter With Ibom Air Officials Trends

• A video of an altercation between passenger Comfort Emmason and Ibom Air officials at Lagos airport on August 10 has gone viral, sparking a serious divide among Nigerians
• Reports indicate that Emmason allegedly attacked individuals after being asked to turn off her phone before a flight from Uyo to Lagos
• Netizens have reacted to the incident as the Nigeria Police Force begins its investigation into the altercation

Ikeja, Lagos - Nigerians have reacted to the trending video of an altercation that broke out between a female passenger, Comfort Emmason, and Ibom Air officials on Sunday, August 10, at Muritala Muhammed International Airport.

According to a statement issued by Ibom Air on Monday, August 11, Emmason attacked individuals at Lagos airport upon arrival from Uyo after being instructed to turn off her phone before the flight's departure, as per standard aviation protocol.

She was subsequently handed over to operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

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This development comes less than a week after veteran Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM 1, was involved in an altercation during a flight on ValueJet to Lagos.

This incident has sparked intense debate on social media, with many comparing it to the altercation involving KWAM 1.

Netizens react to viral video

Nigerians are demanding a probe into the conduct of Ibom Air officials.

While many questioned Comfort's unruly behaviour, others condemned the unprofessionalism of the officials who reportedly exposed her in an attempt to remove her from the plane.

Legit.ng gathered some reactions from Nigerians shared on X.com:

@dipoaina1

"After stripping her naked and rough handling her as if she carried grenade?

"Una they craze🤧 There’s something you airlines are not telling us."

@DanielRegha

"Ibom Air is just as faulted as the rude passenger. The issue should've been de-escalated professionally."

@OloriOfOloris

"As much as I totally condemn her actions, you people should invest in better restraining measures. If she had been tased and handcuffed from the beginning, her body would have never been exposed.

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"And that video should never have been posted by the crew member, regardless of it not being intentional."

@Sire_Sammi

"I’m curious to know if you train your staff on de-escalation techniques or if you just let them move around behaving unprofessionally?

"If you had handled the 'unruly' girl appropriately, you would’ve been a hero of the situation.

"Right now, you people are just as guilty as she was. Train your staff properly, teach them how to de-escalate a crisis.

"This girl deserved a 5-year blacklist from flying, but with the way you people handled the situation, it’s hard to punish her appropriately. Do better."

@diadem_official

"Nothing justifies stripping a woman naked in public. It would have even been better if she had been handcuffed by security officers and then carried out.

"It is grossly irresponsible of her to act like that in a public place—especially in an aeroplane, and it is even more irresponsible of your staff to naked her like that."

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@El_Nazor

"@ibomairlines But this is only one side of the story. Your crew members stripped the lady of her hands' absolute dignity! That’s unbearable for anybody. This video should not have been posted, or at least blurred, to accord her some grace.

"While not condoning her behaviour on board, which we don’t truly know yet, as this is only your own story, it should not have warranted stripping her naked. She appeared quite excited in the videos posted, but YOUR CREW’s UNPROFESSIONALISM was LOUDEST!"

Atiku's aide speaks on altercation on Ibom Air

Legit.ng previously reported that Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, August 11, queried when Wasiu Ayinde, the popular Fuji musician, would be arraigned in court for his controversial behaviour at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, recently.

Ibe's challenge comes as a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, was banned for life by Ibom Air for being "unruly". The sanction was pronounced after a row at the MMIA.

Source: Legit.ng