. Aviation regulators begin probe of incident involving Comfort Emmanson and Ibom Air Hostess as ‘unruly’ female passenger is arraigned and remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre
The Airline Operators of Nigeria has imposed a lifetime ban on Ms Comfort Emmanson for her unruly behaviour while aboard Ibom Air from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday 10th August 2025.
Platforms Africa reports that a statement by the operators noted that the imposition of lifetime ban is also in addition to her prosecution by the regulating authorities to serve as a deterrent.
Signed by leader of spokesperson for the group, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the statement read; “We condemn the violent incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a pasenger on tbom Air flight 9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025. We reviewed the detailed statement issued by ibom Air regarding the incident and we commend the airline for its swift and professional handling of this unfortunate event and fuly endorse the actions taken.
“The incident which ibom Air descrbed, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage which led to the brutal physical assaut on tbom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.
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“This was not just disruptive, it was a
sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable. Therefore, effective immediatey, the AON has placed
Ms. Emmanson on its No Fy list indefinitely.
“She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life. Such incidents have become one too many with the
most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on Valuelet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of statf of AirPeace.
“Its also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilties in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVStC. The AON urgently calls on FAAN tO immedately review and tighten security procedures at all airports acros the country.
“The AON stands united with ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly alrline passengers Going forward, anyone who exhbits such behaviour wll suffer similar consequence. While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must folow due process. We are commited to protecting our employees passengens equipment and to maintain the highest safety standards.”
Remanded in Kirikiri
Platforms Africa reports that Ms Emmanson has been arraigned on Monday 11th August 2025, and remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The development follows a viral incident on Monday, in which Emmanson physically attacked crew members and security personnel during and after the flight.
Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Emmanson’s case is an example prompting increased enforcement actions against unruly passengers at Nigerian airports.
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“The more reason the flying public should be more careful,” Moshood stated, adding, “Miss Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri.”
Ibom Air’s official statement detailed that the incident began shortly before takeoff at Uyo Airport when Emmanson refused to comply with the mandatory safety instruction to switch off her mobile phone.
A fellow passenger seated beside her intervened by turning off the device, which triggered a verbal outburst from Emmanson. The situation calmed, and the flight departed on schedule.
Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson confronted the purser who had earlier asked her to turn off her phone. According to Ibom Air, she physically assaulted the crew member, stepping on her, forcibly removing her wig, removing and throwing her glasses, and hitting her multiple times. When another crew member intervened, Emmanson assaulted that individual as well.
The airline further reported that Emmanson attempted to seize a fire extinguisher with the apparent intent to use it as a weapon, describing the act as “an intention to damage and ground the aircraft.”
The pilot alerted airport security as the assaults continued. Security personnel arrived to restrain Emmanson, but she also attacked them, including a ground supervisor.
Ibom Air said Emmanson was eventually removed from the aircraft by force and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security team.
The airline submitted a detailed report of the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and imposed a travel ban on Emmanson, barring her from flying on any Ibom Air aircraft in the future.
The airline emphasised its zero-tolerance policy toward unruly behaviour that endangers passengers, crew, or equipment.
It commended its crew and security personnel for managing the situation professionally and praised their swift response under difficult circumstances.
Platforms Africa
