The airline, in a statement on Monday, said the incident happened on Sunday, August 10, 2025, on its Uyo–Lagos service and involved Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off despite repeated instructions from crew members.
Nigerians have condemned the conduct of Ibom Air staff and airport security officials in the handling of the case of Comfort Emmanson, who was said to have been unruly and initially refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off despite repeated instructions from crew members.
The airline, in a statement on Monday, said the incident happened on Sunday, August 10, 2025, on its Uyo–Lagos service and involved Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off despite repeated instructions from crew members.
A fellow passenger beside her took the phone and switched it off, triggering a verbal tirade from Emmanson.
Upon arrival in Lagos, she confronted and physically assaulted the purser who had earlier instructed her to turn off the phone.
The airline described her actions as a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers, and aircraft.
Ibom Air has since imposed a travel ban on Emmanson, declaring she will no longer be allowed to fly on any of its aircraft.
However, many Nigerians have condemned the handling of the situation especially the now viral video which exposed the bare breasts of Emmanson while the airport security officials were dragging her out of the plane.
An X user with the handle @EdmundAkins wrote:
"It could be depression or something. Her mental state is obviously altered. I expect the female airline staff to do more to protect her dignity. They could use a cover cloth at least."
Another X user with the handle @Krisabah wrote:
"Why deliberately pull up her top to reveal her breast and still share the picture? I swear, if I were the girl, I will sure the devil out of @ibomairlines. This embarrassment outdid everything u had on the poor girl. Bloody perverts. Why share the picture?"
Condemning the move by the staff of the airline, another X user with the handle @Idyllicjay wrote:
"Much as I detest what the passenger did, stripping her naked is even more wicked and whoever did this should be summarily dismissed. It's very unprofessional and obscene."
Another X user, @Jimianthony23, wrote:
"This is wrong... totally wrong, they should have handcuffed her rather than stripping her naked... claiming that she physically attacked a hostess without video evidence or eye witness is just mere allegations but this video can aid her defence in court if she's prosecuted."
SaharaReporters reported that Emmanson has been charged to court and is currently remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility.
Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development in a post on X on Monday.
He urged the flying public to be more careful amid rising unruly passenger behaviour in Nigerian airports.
“The more reason the flying public should be more careful, the unruly passenger on Uyo–Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” Moshood said.
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