Nigerian airline Ibom Air has imposed a permanent flying ban on passenger Comfort Emmanson after she allegedly assaulted crew members on its Uyo–Lagos service during an incident at Lagos airport on Sunday.
In a statement on Monday, the carrier said Emmanson’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct and confirmed she would no longer be allowed aboard any of its flights.
“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 said.
Viral videos showed Emmanson lashing slaps on one of the airline’s flight attendant, even as security officials tried to restrain her.
The airline said shortly before take-off from Uyo, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone.
Ibom Air said, “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.
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“Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser who had earlier instructed her. She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it 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. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
An Ibom Air passenger turned a routine flight into a scene of chaos when she launched a physical attack on airline and airport security staff. According to the carrier, the woman assaulted Ibom Air personnel as well as Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security officers, even after reinforcements arrived.
She was eventually overpowered, forcibly removed from the aircraft, and escorted off the tarmac. Witnesses said the altercation didn’t end there — upon disembarking, she allegedly struck multiple security officers and slapped the airline’s ground supervisor.
Ibom Air confirmed it has filed a detailed report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The disturbance comes barely a week after Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, better known as K1 De Ultimate, was handed a six-month flight ban by the NCAA over disruptive conduct at Abuja airport.