Akwa Ibom State–owned carrier, Ibom Air, has addressed the viral video showing a heated altercation between one of its passengers, Ms Comfort Emmanson, and members of its cabin crew on August 10, 2025.
In the footage, Ms Emmanson is seen slapping a female crew member before being escorted away by airport security, during which her clothes were torn.
In a statement on Monday, the airline explained that the incident began shortly before take-off from Uyo when Ms Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone in line with aviation safety procedures. She allegedly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command intervened, after which a fellow passenger switched off the device. The airline said this sparked a verbal outburst from Ms Emmanson, but the situation was contained and the flight departed as scheduled.
According to Ibom Air, upon arrival in Lagos, Ms Emmanson waited for other passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser who had issued the initial instruction. “She stepped on her, forcibly removed her wig and glasses, slapped her repeatedly, and attacked another crew member who tried to intervene,” the statement read. The passenger allegedly attempted to seize a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, prompting the Pilot-in-Command to alert airport security.
The airline said Ms Emmanson also assaulted security personnel upon their arrival, including the ground supervisor, before she was restrained and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security.
Ibom Air confirmed that it has reported the matter to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and imposed a travel ban on Ms Emmanson, barring her from boarding its aircraft in future.
