Ibom Air has narrated how one of its crew members was assaulted on board by a female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, during a Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday, in what it described as another example of growing unruly passenger behaviour in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to the airline, the incident began before take-off when Ms. Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite being reminded of standard safety rules. The Pilot-in-Command eventually intervened, prompting a fellow passenger beside her to switch it off. The move reportedly sparked a verbal outburst from Ms. Emmanson, though the matter was temporarily calmed, and the flight departed on schedule.
Upon landing in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson allegedly waited for other passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser who had earlier given her instructions, stepping on her in the process. The Pilot-in-Command immediately alerted airport security.
Video footage circulating online shows the Purser blocking the passenger from leaving until security arrived.
However, Ibom Air said Ms. Emmanson also attacked its security team, violently resisting restraint. She was eventually removed from the aircraft by force, but continued to assault personnel, including slapping the ground supervisor, before being taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police for investigation.
The airline confirmed it has reported the matter to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and placed a permanent travel ban on Ms. Emmanson.
“Ibom Air maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment,” the statement read. “Such behaviour will attract the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restrictions.”
The airline commended its crew’s professionalism under “extremely challenging circumstances” and thanked airport security and the police for their swift intervention, reiterating that safety remains its highest priority.
