By Esther Victory
UYO – Ibom Air has banned a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, from all its flights following a violent incident aboard its Uyo–Lagos service on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the airline on Monday, the trouble began shortly before take-off from Uyo when Ms. Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions from the cabin crew in line with standard aviation safety procedures. It was only after the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement that a fellow passenger seated beside her intervened and switched off the device.
The statement said this triggered “a verbal tirade” from Ms. Emmanson, though the situation was calmed, allowing the flight to depart as scheduled.
Upon arrival in Lagos, however, Ms. Emmanson allegedly waited until all passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser who had earlier instructed her to turn off the phone. She reportedly stepped on the crew member, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and assaulted her with her footwear.
“She slapped her several times, and when another cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too,” the airline said. Ms. Emmanson then allegedly attempted to remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act Ibom Air warned could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
It would be recalled that the viral video circulating on social media shows the Purser blocking the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived. The airline noted that Ms. Emmanson also attacked Ibom Air security personnel when they boarded, and later assaulted the ground supervisor after being escorted off the plane.
She was eventually taken into custody by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation.
Ibom Air said it has submitted a detailed report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and imposed a permanent travel ban on Ms. Emmanson.
The airline reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment,” warning that such behaviour will attract legal action and permanent restriction from its services.
“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 concluded.
The Moment for Women will continue follow the incident and we call for thorough investigation and justice for Ms. Emmanson
