Ibom Air has announced a lifetime travel ban on a passenger after she physically assaulted members of its cabin crew and security personnel on Sunday, August 10, during its Uyo–Lagos flight.
Viral videos from the Sunday incident at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport show an enraged female passenger, later identified by the airline as Comfort Emmanson, lashing out at a flight attendant and clashing with airport security. The clips, widely circulated on X, reveal her confronting crew members, swatting away cameras, and resisting attempts to be restrained.
According to Ibom Air, the trouble began before take-off in Uyo when Ms. Emmanson was asked to switch off her mobile phone, in line with aviation safety regulations. She allegedly refused until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger intervened and switched off the phone. The exchange reportedly triggered a verbal outburst that was calmed before departure.
However, upon landing in Lagos, the situation escalated sharply. The airline’s statement says Ms. Emmanson waited for other passengers to disembark before approaching the Purser who had given her the earlier safety instruction. She allegedly stepped on the Purser, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses, threw them on the floor, and struck her multiple times, also assaulting another cabin crew member who tried to intervene.
In a move that could have endangered the aircraft, she reportedly attempted to remove a fire extinguisher as a weapon before security arrived. The airline said the arrival of both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel did not deter her, as she allegedly continued to attack them and even slapped the ground supervisor.
She was eventually restrained, removed from the aircraft, and taken into custody by FAAN security before being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Citing its zero-tolerance policy for conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment, Ibom Air has now placed a permanent travel restriction on Ms. Emmanson and submitted a formal report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The airline expressed gratitude to its crew and security teams for handling the situation without further harm and reiterated the need for all travellers to maintain composure and comply with safety procedures.
This latest case following closely on the heels of other high-profile aviation disruptions, has renewed industry calls for restorative action, urging airlines, regulators, and passengers alike to uphold civility in the skies and protect the dignity of all involved in air travel.
