On August 10, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, involving a passenger identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation that threatened the safety of crew and passengers alike.
The trouble began shortly before take-off when Ms. Emmanson was asked to turn off her mobile phone, as mandated by aviation safety protocols. Her refusal to comply persisted until the Pilot-in-Command intervened, prompting a fellow passenger to switch off the device. This act ignited a verbal outburst from Ms. Emmanson, leading to a tense atmosphere on board. Fortunately, the situation was de-escalated, and the flight proceeded as planned.
However, upon landing in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson’s behavior took a dangerous turn. After waiting for other passengers to disembark, she confronted the Purser who had previously instructed her to turn off her phone. Witnesses reported that she physically assaulted the Purser, tearing off her wig, throwing her glasses to the ground, and striking her multiple times. The chaos continued as she attacked another cabin crew member who attempted to intervene.
In a shocking twist, Ms. Emmanson tried to seize a fire extinguisher, posing a potential threat to the aircraft and everyone on board. The Pilot-in-Command quickly alerted airport security, but before their arrival, the Purser managed to prevent Ms. Emmanson from leaving the aircraft. The situation escalated further when Ms. Emmanson began attacking security personnel upon their arrival, leading to her being forcibly restrained and removed from the plane.
Following the incident, she continued her aggressive behavior, even striking a ground supervisor. Ms. Emmanson was ultimately taken into custody by FAAN security and turned over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
In response to this alarming event, Ibom Air has issued a statement reinforcing its commitment to maintaining safety and security on all flights. They have placed a travel ban on Ms. Emmanson, ensuring she will not be allowed to fly with the airline again. The airline has also reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards any unruly conduct.
Ibom Air commended the professionalism and bravery of its crew in handling the situation and stressed the importance of passenger compliance with crew instructions to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone aboard.
As the investigation continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by unruly behavior in the aviation industry.
