The Nigerian aviation industry is once again in the spotlight following a shocking case of in-flight misconduct. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of physically assaulting an Ibom Air crew member aboard a flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
Incident Confirmed by Aviation Authorities
The news was confirmed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Moshood wrote:
“The more reason the flying public should be more careful. The unruly passenger on the Uyo–Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri.”
This comes at a time when the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued repeated warnings about enforcing stricter penalties against passengers who engage in disruptive behaviour, a trend reportedly on the rise in Nigerian airports.
What Happened on the Flight?
The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, reportedly began before take-off at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo. According to Ibom Air, Emmanson was instructed to comply with standard safety procedures, which require all passengers to switch off their mobile phones before departure.
However, she allegedly refused to comply. A fellow passenger seated beside her eventually switched off the phone, triggering a heated verbal exchange. The airline’s statement indicated that upon landing in Lagos, the situation escalated further when Emmanson confronted the purser — the senior flight attendant who had earlier issued the instruction — and repeatedly slapped her.
Alarming Escalation and Safety Threat
Ibom Air also alleged that the disruptive passenger attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher from its mount, an act the airline interpreted as an attempt to damage or ground the aircraft. Such behaviour, they said, posed a direct threat to the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft itself.
Following the incident, Ibom Air announced an immediate ban on Emmanson, stating that she would no longer be allowed to fly with the airline.
READ ALSO:
Industry Context and Rising Concerns
This troubling episode is part of a concerning pattern of disruptive passenger behaviour in Nigeria’s aviation sector. In recent weeks, there was another high-profile incident involving Fuji music star, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1). The musician was reported to have attempted to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from taking off after being deboarded, further fuelling discussions on the need for better enforcement of passenger conduct rules.
Stricter Measures on the Horizon
Aviation authorities and airline operators have reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict adherence to safety regulations. The NCAA has emphasised that passengers found guilty of disruptive conduct could face hefty fines, flight bans, and even criminal charges, depending on the severity of the offence.
With Emmanson now facing legal proceedings and a ban from Ibom Air, industry experts believe this case will serve as a cautionary tale to travellers about the consequences of failing to follow crew instructions and safety procedures.
