Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting Ibom Air crew members and clashing with airport security on a flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The government confirmed her detention on Monday.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced the development on his official X handle, shortly after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) vowed to intensify enforcement against unruly the passenger’s conduct.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was captured in viral videos. In one clip, a flight attendant can be heard saying, “She slapped me,” while other footage shows security officials struggling to restrain Emmanson.
According to Ibom Air, the passenger had refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff, ignoring repeated instructions from the crew and the pilot. A fellow passenger eventually turned off the device, sparking a heated verbal exchange.
On arrival in Lagos, Emmanson allegedly attacked the purser, stepping on her, tearing off her wig, removing her glasses and smashing them on the floor, before repeatedly slapping her. Another crew member who intervened was also slapped.
The airline further revealed that Emmanson attempted to seize a fire extinguisher to use it as a weapon, prompting an urgent call for security intervention. Despite resisting arrest and assaulting both Ibom Air and FAAN security staff including the ground supervisor she was eventually subdued and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.
Ibom Air has imposed a permanent travel ban on Emmanson and formally reported the case to the NCAA.
Michael Achimugu, the airline’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, urged passengers to adhere to safety instructions, stressing that, “Air travel comes with responsibilities as well as rights.”
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
