Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson has been charged to court and remanded in Kirikiri.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Comfort Emmanson, a female passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew members and clashed with airport security at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.
The development was confirmed by Mr. Tunde Moshood, spokesperson to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement on X. Moshood noted that Emmanson’s case serves as a warning to the flying public about the consequences of unruly behavior onboard aircraft.
ALSO: Airline Operators of Nigeria Slams Lifetime Flight Ban on Passenger Over Violent Assault
According to Vanguard, the incident occurred on a Uyo–Lagos Ibom Air flight last Sunday. The airline reported that before departure from Uyo, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone but refused to comply until another passenger intervened. This triggered a verbal outburst from her.
Upon landing in Lagos, she allegedly waited until all passengers had disembarked before confronting the purser who issued the initial instruction. In a violent attack, Emmanson reportedly stepped on the purser, tore off her wig, removed her glasses, assaulted her with footwear, and slapped her multiple times. She also attacked another crew member who attempted to intervene and tried to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon.
The airline said the Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security while crew members restrained her. However, upon the arrival of Ibom Air and FAAN security personnel, Emmanson allegedly continued her violent behavior, attacking them and even slapping the ground supervisor.
She was eventually taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation. Ibom Air has since reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and imposed a lifetime travel ban on Emmanson.
