Ibom Air has announced a travel ban on a female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, after she physically assaulted multiple crew members and airport security personnel during and after a recent flight from Uyo to Lagos.
In a statement released on Monday, the airline detailed the events, describing Emmanson’s actions as a serious threat to the safety of the aircraft, passengers, and crew.
According to the statement, the incident began when the crew instructed Emmanson to switch off her mobile phone in line with standard aviation safety protocols.
She refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command intervened with a public announcement.
Eventually, a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and turned it off.
This act reportedly triggered a verbal outburst from Emmanson, though the situation was calmed and the flight departed as scheduled.
However, upon arrival in Lagos, the situation escalated.
“Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the purser who had earlier instructed her,” the airline said.
“She walked up to the unsuspecting purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.”
Ibom Air further stated that she slapped the purser multiple times.
When another cabin crew member attempted to intervene, Emmanson slapped her too and attempted to seize a fire extinguisher, presumably to use as a weapon, an action that could have severely damaged the aircraft.
At this point, the Pilot-in-Command had already alerted airport security.
The statement explained that “the Purser, as seen in the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived.”
Security officials from both Ibom Air and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) arrived shortly after, but Emmanson reportedly turned on them as well.
“She attacked them violently,” the airline said, “lashing out at both Ibom Air and FAAN security. She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault security staff and even slapped the ground supervisor.”
Emmanson was eventually taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Ibom Air has since submitted a formal report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and confirmed that Emmanson has been permanently banned from flying with the airline.
Reaffirming its position, the airline stressed: “Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment. Such behaviour will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services.”
Ibom Air also praised the courage and professionalism of its crew under intense pressure, and acknowledged the swift response from both airport security and the Nigerian Police.
“Safety remains our highest priority. We urge all passengers to comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board,” the airline concluded.
