The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has invited both Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on the controversial Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos and Juliana Edward, a cabin crew member, for questioning over the August 10 incident that sparked public outrage.
The development was disclosed by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, during an emergency aviation stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting, convened under the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, follows recent cases of passenger misconduct, including a separate incident involving King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1) on a ValueJet flight.
Achimugu explained that the invitation to both parties is part of a full-scale investigation aimed at uncovering the facts behind the mid-flight altercation that gained viral attention online, especially after video footage emerged showing Emmanson’s exposed body during the scuffle.
“I spoke with Ms. Emmanson this morning. We’ve also invited the Ibom Air cabin crew involved. They will appear tomorrow [Wednesday] as part of our ongoing inquiry,” Achimugu said.
There have been divided opinions on social media, with some accusing the cabin crew of mishandling the situation, while others criticized the passenger’s behavior.
The NCAA aims to clarify what transpired and determine whether any aviation safety or professional conduct standards were breached.
Achimugu also clarified that the aircraft’s pilot did not immediately contact airport security upon arrival in Lagos, possibly because the situation had appeared to be resolved before landing.
He noted that Emmanson was the last person to disembark, having gone to the restroom after landing.
The incident triggered a broader conversation on aviation safety and the need for stricter policies against unruly behavior onboard.
During the stakeholder session, Capt. Alex Nwuba, Vice President of Aviation Roundtable and Safety Initiative, urged airlines to enforce conduct regulations more strictly and improve crew training to de-escalate tense situations.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the focus should be on professionalism, accountability, and collaboration across the aviation sector.
“We are not here to point fingers,” Najomo said. “We’re here to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities and executes them according to national and international aviation standards.”
He added that while aviation rules are well documented in Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Act and regulatory manuals, the real challenge lies in enforcement.
“Let’s not just document rules; let’s live them,” he emphasized.
