By Ghazali Ibrahim
An Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, has been remanded in Kirikiri prison after a violent altercation with the airline’s crew on a Uyo–Lagos flight.
The special adviser on media and communication to the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Tunde Moshood confirmed this in a post on X on Monday.
He urged passengers to exercise caution, stressing that unruly behaviour will not be tolerated in Nigerian airspace.
BlackBox Nigeria earlier reported the incident, which occurred on Sunday, August 10, 2025, led to criminal charges and a lifetime ban from flying with the airline.
According to Ibom Air, the confrontation began before take-off in Uyo when Ms. Emmanson refused repeated instructions to switch off her mobile phone, in line with aviation safety protocols.
After a fellow passenger turned it off, she launched into a verbal outburst.
Upon landing in Lagos, she allegedly attacked the Purser who had issued the instruction, stepping on her, tearing off her wig and glasses, striking her repeatedly, and even assaulting another crew member who tried to intervene.
The airline said she also attempted to seize a fire extinguisher as a weapon, an act that could have damaged the aircraft.
Despite the Pilot-in-Command alerting security, Ms. Emmanson reportedly continued to lash out violently at both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel.
She was eventually restrained and handed over to the police.
Ibom Air confirmed it had informed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of the incident and permanently barred her from its flights.
