Ibom Air has imposed a lifetime ban on a passenger, Ms Comfort Emmanson, for allegedly assaulting its crew members before a scheduled Uyo–Lagos flight took off on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
In a statement issued on Monday, the airline said the incident began shortly before take-off in Uyo when Emmanson refused repeated instructions to switch off her mobile phone, in line with standard aviation safety procedures.
“She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off. This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms Emmanson,” Ibom Air said.
Upon arrival in Lagos, the passenger allegedly confronted the Purser, who had earlier instructed her to put her phone off.
“She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.
“She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too,” the statement added.
Ibom Air said Emmanson then “attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.”
The Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security, but before their arrival, “the Purser, as seen on the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived.”
According to the airline, “the arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger, as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at the security personnel.
She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force.
“Even after disembarking, she continued to assault Ibom Air security personnel and even slapped the ground supervisor,” the statement read.
She was later taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
“Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment. Such behaviour will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services,” the airline said.
The carrier commended “the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling this situation under extremely challenging circumstances, as well as the swift support from airport security and the Nigerian Police.”
