The Nigerian Army’s 82 Division has launched an investigation into a recent confrontation between soldiers and civilians along the Nsukka–Igbo Eze South Road in Enugu State.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, in Enugu.

According to Ayeni, the clash occurred during a routine security operation carried out by personnel deployed in the Igbo Eze South Local Government Area.

A video of the incident, which surfaced on social media, drew public attention to the altercation.

“While such checks are critical to ensuring public safety, the Division treats all allegations of misconduct by its personnel with the utmost seriousness,” Ayeni said.

He added that a comprehensive investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

The findings, he assured, will be made public, and any soldier found culpable will face disciplinary measures in line with military regulations.

Lt.-Col. Ayeni further stressed the Division’s commitment to professionalism, the strict application of the Rules of Engagement, and respect for the military’s Code of Conduct in all operations.

“The Division remains fully committed to upholding transparency and accountability, as well as maintaining strong civil-military relations,” he noted.

Ayeni thanked members of the public and the media for drawing attention to the matter and urged continued vigilance to promote responsible security oversight.

Safana Local Government Area in Katsina State has joined Jibia, Batsari and Danmusa in formalizing a peace agreement with armed bandits, a move aimed at restoring stability and enabling residents to live and farm without fear.

At recent peace talks held on the outskirts of Gemi Forest in Runka town, LGA Chairman Abdullahi Sani Safana, traditional authorities including Yariman Katsina, Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, and Sani Muhammed Zakka led negotiations alongside community members and bandits themselves.

They all agreed to work toward reconciliation, mutual trust, and lasting peace in Safana and surrounding areas.

Expressing optimism about the accord, Alhaji Sada Rufa’i urged the bandits to respect the agreement:

“As we have decided to hold this peace agreement, let us live peacefully. Farmers, herders, and everyone should go to their farms and work peacefully. All should be allowed to move and work freely.”

Youth leader Abdulhamid Danda also called on young people from both communities to uphold the peace and promote trust.

Chairman Safana reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of all parties:

He instructed the education and health departments to assess schools and hospitals serving Fulani herdsmen for repairs.

He assured that residents will have free access to hospitals, markets, and other essential amenities and pledged to renovate dams for both communities.

The agreement includes 20 conditions—key among them is an end to violence and abductions, along with ensuring that farmers and herdsmen can access farmlands and towns without harassment.

Previously, peace agreements implemented in Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa LGAs helped bring several months of relative calm, allowing communities to resume daily activities without disruption.

In Danmusa, repentant bandits surrendered their weapons and released 16 captives, including a seven-month pregnant woman, with residents celebrating the restoration of peace.

Despite these community-led efforts, the Katsina State Government reiterated that it does not negotiate with bandits. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, stated:

“The government will not negotiate with bandits, but if they choose to drop their arms and come forward, we will give them the opportunity to live as normal citizens.”

He added that while security operations would continue in targeted areas, LGAs like Jibia and Batsari have seen notable improvements under these local arrangements. Any breach of the agreement, he warned, would trigger prompt action.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and public commentator, Dr. Monday Ubani, has criticized the lifetime no-fly ban imposed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), calling the sanction unconstitutional, excessive, and lacking due process.

Dr. Ubani explained that the ban came amid a surge in disruptive behaviors by domestic airline passengers, including incidents involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) and Ms. Emmanson, both accused of violating aviation rules and disrupting flights.

While Kwam 1 was reportedly given a six-month no-fly suspension by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, Ubani highlighted that the indefinite, industry-wide ban placed on Ms. Emmanson by AON “raises serious legal, procedural, and constitutional questions.”

He noted that the sanction violates Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every individual the right to a fair hearing before a lawful court or tribunal.

“The AON’s unilateral decision to impose a lifetime ban without giving the passenger an opportunity to respond breaches the principle of audi alteram partem (the right to be heard),” Ubani stated.

Further citing Section 41 of the Constitution, which protects freedom of movement within Nigeria and internationally, Ubani said that while an airline can refuse service for safety reasons under its contract with passengers, an industry-wide lifetime ban imposed by a trade body effectively acts as a nationwide travel ban with far-reaching consequences.

Ubani emphasized that only the NCAA, created under the Civil Aviation Act, has the authority to regulate civil aviation and impose sanctions.

“NCAA regulations allow denial of boarding for safety reasons but do not empower AON to enforce indefinite, nationwide bans,” he added. He also pointed out that in countries like the United States, no-fly lists are government-controlled, legally regulated, regularly reviewed, and come with appeal rights.

Regarding Ms. Emmanson’s case, Ubani noted she has been charged and remanded in custody pending trial for an offense that is bailable.

“Until a court determines guilt, imposing an indefinite, industry-wide punishment is premature,” he stressed.

Ubani recommended that if a passenger’s conduct threatens flight safety, airlines and AON should offload the individual, report the case to Aviation Security and the Nigerian Police, pursue prosecution under relevant laws, and if necessary, obtain a court order restricting travel.

“Only the NCAA should administer industry-wide bans, and there must be a right to appeal,” he insisted.

The SAN warned that allowing a trade association to mete out such harsh penalties without judicial oversight risks bias and abuse.

He also cautioned against punishing individuals based on past incidents involving other public figures without judicial verdicts, calling it “reputational punishment without proof.”

While condemning unruly behavior on flights, Ubani underscored the importance of fairness and due process.

“One party cannot act as accuser, prosecutor, and judge. Without fairness, justice is absent,” he said.

He added that Ms. Emmanson has the right to seek redress at the Federal High Court, requesting a declaration that the ban is unconstitutional and invalid, as well as damages for breach of her fundamental rights.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sharply criticized Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over their handling of a disturbing incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who was allegedly humiliated and banned for life from flying with the airline.

The incident, which occurred on August 10, 2025, sparked outrage after videos emerged online showing Ms. Emmanson being forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight.

In a joint statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association condemned the airline’s actions as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a violation of the passenger’s rights.

“The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson in the incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on 10 August 2025 and the subsequent lifetime flight ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria. These actions are heavy-handed, unlawful, and a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.”

According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was not only removed from the aircraft but also publicly stripped and humiliated, with video footage of the ordeal widely circulated on social media.

“It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online.”

“Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation sector. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.”

While Ibom Air has presented its version of events, the NBA pointed out that alternative footage shows an airline staff member blocking Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, which may constitute a criminal act.

“While Ibom Air has issued its account of events, other video footage has emerged showing an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from alighting from the aircraft, a conduct that could constitute false imprisonment and a possible provocation that escalated the situation.”

“This makes it all the more critical that the matter be subjected to an independent, impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities before any disciplinary action is taken against her.”

The NBA also criticized the airline’s decision to impose a lifetime ban without giving Ms. Emmanson the opportunity to defend herself, describing the move as a denial of her right to fair hearing.

“The decision to impose a lifetime ban without affording Ms. Emmanson a fair opportunity to be heard is equally troubling. Ibom Air has so far only presented its own version of events without giving her the chance to respond. This one-sided process, culminating in a ban supported by AON, breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and renders the decision legally and morally indefensible.”

The statement further highlighted the illegality of disseminating unedited footage of the incident online, calling it a criminal breach of privacy.

“The photographing, dissemination, and online circulation of indecent images of Ms. Emmanson is also an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act. Even if the incident was to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in such a way that it did not expose her nudity to the public.”

“Those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted. Such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The NBA emphasized that only statutory regulators, not private airlines or associations, have the authority to ban passengers from flying.

“The power to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly rests with the appropriate statutory regulator, not private associations or airline operators acting unilaterally.”

Concluding the statement, the NBA demanded accountability and redress from the airline.

“The NBA demands that Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms. Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident. We also call on the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security.”