A passenger identified as Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after allegedly assaulting multiple airline staff during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The shocking incident, captured in a viral video, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter penalties against unruly passengers in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to a statement by Ibom Air and confirmed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Emmanson’s conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft itself , breaching multiple provisions of Nigeria’s civil aviation safety regulations.
The airline explained that trouble began before take-off when Ms. Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone in line with standard safety protocols. She reportedly refused until the Pilot-in-Command made a public announcement. A fellow passenger then switched off the phone on her behalf, prompting an angry verbal outburst from Emmanson. The situation calmed temporarily, and the flight departed on schedule.
However, upon arrival in Lagos, the incident escalated dramatically. Emmanson allegedly waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser who had earlier given her the safety instruction. Witness accounts and video evidence show her stepping on the Purser, tearing off her wig, throwing her glasses to the floor, and assaulting her with her footwear. She is also accused of slapping another crew member who tried to intervene.
In a further act of aggression, the passenger allegedly attempted to remove a fire extinguisher from its holder, an action which, if successful, could have damaged the aircraft and disrupted further operations. The Pilot-in-Command immediately alerted airport security, but before their arrival, the Purser physically prevented Emmanson from leaving the aircraft.
When Ibom Air security personnel arrived, Emmanson reportedly attacked them as well, continuing her violent outburst even after being forcibly removed from the aircraft. On the tarmac, she allegedly assaulted additional airline security staff, including slapping the ground supervisor.
She was eventually handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security team and later transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation. The airline has since submitted a detailed incident report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and placed a lifetime travel ban on Ms. Emmanson.
The NCAA has warned that such enforcement actions will become more frequent as cases of unruly passenger behaviour continue to rise. Industry stakeholders have reiterated that physical or verbal assault on airline staff is a criminal offence that can attract heavy fines, imprisonment, and permanent travel restrictions.
Emmanson’s next court appearance is expected in the coming days, where prosecutors are likely to present video evidence, eyewitness testimonies, and security reports. The case is already being closely watched by both the aviation industry and the general public as a possible test of Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on disruptive passengers.