Ibom Air Speaks Out After Unruly Passenger Attacks Crew On Uyo-Lagos Flight

Ibom Air has spoken out following the viral incident involving a female passenger who disrupted its Uyo-to-Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

In a statement released on Monday, August 11, the airline confirmed that the passenger, identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, posed “a serious threat to the safety of our crew, passengers, and aircraft.”

According to the airline, the incident began shortly before take-off from Uyo when Ms. Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone in line with standard aviation safety procedures. “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 statement read.

Ibom Air said the situation calmed and the flight departed as scheduled, but upon arrival in Lagos, “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.” The airline added that she also “attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.”

The Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security, but “the arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at the security personnel.” She was eventually restrained and handed over to FAAN security before being taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force.

Ibom Air confirmed that a report has been submitted to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and that Ms. Emmanson has been permanently banned from flying with the airline. “We reiterate our zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment. Such behavior will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services,” the statement concluded.

The airline praised “the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling this situation under extremely challenging circumstances” and urged passengers to “comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board.”