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Unruly Passenger Banned After Physical Attack on Flight Attendants
August 11, 2025 A disturbing incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos has sent shockwaves through Nigeria's aviation industry, highlighting growing concerns about passenger misconduct and airline safety protocols.
The Viral Video That Sparked Outrage
A viral video circulating on social media shows a female passenger, identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, violently attacking Ibom Air flight attendants. In the shocking footage, viewers can hear a flight attendant repeatedly calling out "she is hitting me" while attempting to prevent the aggressive passenger from leaving the aircraft.
The confrontation escalated quickly, with the enraged passenger shouting "what did you do" multiple times. Despite the verbal and physical assault, the airline crew maintained their professionalism throughout the ordeal. Additional video footage shows another flight attendant asking the passenger, "do you want to hit me?" to which she replied, "I would hit you," before following through with the threat.
Aviation Security Responds to Aircraft Disturbance
As the situation deteriorated, with witnesses reporting that the passenger was "destroying the aircraft," Ibom Air security personnel rushed onto the plane. During the forceful removal process, airport security had to physically drag the unruly passenger from the aircraft while she continued screaming and resisting.
The altercation continued on the tarmac, where the passenger confronted additional airport personnel and Ibom Air security staff before being escorted to a waiting vehicle.
Official Statement from Ibom Air
Ibom Air released a comprehensive press statement detailing the incident, confirming that the confrontation began with a simple safety protocol violation. According to the airline's account:
INCIDENT INVOLVING AN UNRULY PASSENGER ON August 11, 2025.
Ibom Air confirms that on Sunday August 11, 2025, an incident occurred on board our Uyo – Lagos flight involving a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, whose conduct posed a serious threat to Our crew, passenger and Air craft.
Shortly before take-off from Uyo, Ms. Emmanson was instructed in line with standard aviation safety procedures, to switch off her mobile phone. 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. The situation was eventually calmed and The Flight departed as scheduled.
Upon arrival in Lagos Ms. Emmanson, waited for all other Passengers to disembark and then proceeded to and then proceeded to confront the Purser who had earlier instructed her. She walked on to the on suspecting purser, stepped on her forcibly and tore her wig, removed her glasses and threw it on the floor and used her foot wear to assault her. She slapped her several times and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that would have grounded and damaged the Aircraft.
By this time The Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. Before security could arrive, the purser as seen on the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until the security arrived. The arrival of the Ibom Air security 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 passenger was removed from the ramp and taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria police force for further investigation.
Ibom air has since summited a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and placed on travel restriction on Ms. Emmason, who will no longer be allowed to fly on any of our air craft.
Ibom Air reiterates it’s zero tolerance policy towards any forms of violence that threatens the safety of passenger’s crews or equipment. Such behavior would be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action, and permanent restriction from our Services.
We commend the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling the situation under extremely challenging circumstances, as well as well as the swift support from Airport security and the Nigeria police
Safety remains our highest priority, we urge all passengers to comply with crew instruction at all times for the safety, security and comfort of everyone on board
Signed.Ibom Airlines Limited.11 August 2025.
Pattern of Aviation Misconduct in Nigeria
This incident occurs less than a week after another high-profile aviation altercation involving veteran Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) and ValueJet officials at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. That incident resulted in:
A six-month flight ban for the entertainer by the NCAA and
Suspension of ValueJet pilots' licenses pending investigation
Airlines Strengthen Zero-Tolerance Policies
Ibom Air has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward violence and passenger misconduct, stating that such behavior will be met with "the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services."
The airline commended their crew's professionalism under extreme circumstances and thanked airport security and Nigerian police for their swift response.
Aviation Safety Remains Top Priority
This incident underscores the critical importance of passenger compliance with airline safety protocols and crew instructions. As Ibom Air emphasized in their statement, "Safety remains our highest priority, and we urge all passengers to comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board."
The aviation industry continues to grapple with increasing incidents of air rage and passenger misconduct, making robust safety protocols and enforcement measures more crucial than ever.
original content rewritten by AI for grammatical correction.
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