Court Remands Passenger Who Assaulted Ibom Air Crew in Kirikiri Prison
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of assaulting airline officials aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), Mr. Tunde Moshood, confirmed the development via a post on his official X handle on Monday.
“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,” Moshood wrote.
His statement follows recent warnings by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) about increasing cases of disruptive behavior by passengers, with the agency promising stricter enforcement of aviation safety rules.
Emmanson gained public attention after a viral video showed her repeatedly slapping a purser aboard the aircraft after being asked to switch off her mobile phone prior to take-off.
In response to the incident, Ibom Air on Monday announced that the passenger has been permanently banned from flying with the airline. The airline explained that the altercation began when Emmanson refused to comply with standard safety procedures requiring mobile devices to be turned off before departure. Tensions escalated after a fellow passenger seated next to her turned off her phone on her behalf, prompting an angry outburst.
According to the airline, upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson confronted the purser who had issued the initial instruction and physically assaulted her. The airline also alleged that she attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher, potentially intending to use it as a weapon—an action described as a serious threat to aircraft safety.
Ibom Air condemned the passenger’s behavior, stating it endangered both the crew and other passengers.
This incident comes just weeks after another aviation controversy involving Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who allegedly attempted to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from taking off after being deboarded.
