Ibom Air has imposed a permanent travel ban on a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, after what the airline described in a press release as an “unruly” and “violent” incident on board its Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
According to the statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, the incident began shortly before take-off from Uyo, when Ms. Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions in line with aviation safety procedures. The airline said she only complied after the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement and a fellow passenger seated beside her turned the device off.
“This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson,” Ibom Air stated. “The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.”
However, the press release said that upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson allegedly waited for all passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser who had earlier instructed her to switch off her phone. “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,” the airline said. “She slapped her several times and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too.”
The airline also alleged that the passenger attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, “an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.” Ibom Air said the Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security, and that the viral video circulating online showed the Purser preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving until security arrived.
The statement said Ms. Emmanson attacked Ibom Air security personnel and even slapped the ground supervisor before she was forcibly removed from the aircraft, handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security, and subsequently transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Ibom Air confirmed it has submitted a full report of the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for any unruly behaviour that endangers the safety of passengers, crew, or aircraft.
“We commend the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling this situation under extremely challenging circumstances, as well as the swift support from airport security and the Nigeria Police,” the statement read.
The airline added that Ms. Emmanson “will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft” and warned that such conduct would continue to be met with “the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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