Ibom Air Bans Passenger After Assault on Crew, Airport Security

Ibom Air Bans Passenger After Assault on Crew, Airport Security
By Elisha, PulseDaily

A female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, has been banned from flying with Ibom Air after allegedly assaulting the airline’s crew members and airport security at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport on Sunday.

The incident, captured in several viral videos, began on a flight from Uyo to Lagos when Emmanson reportedly refused repeated instructions to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff. A fellow passenger eventually turned it off, prompting a heated outburst.

In a statement, Ibom Air said that upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the purser. She allegedly stepped on her, tore off her wig, threw her glasses to the floor, struck her with footwear, and slapped her multiple times. Another crew member who tried to intervene was also slapped.

The airline further alleged that Emmanson attempted to remove a fire extinguisher from its mount to use as a weapon—an act that could have damaged the aircraft.

Despite the pilot-in-command calling for security, the passenger reportedly continued to lash out at both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel. She was eventually restrained, removed from the aircraft, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.

Ibom Air confirmed it has imposed a permanent travel restriction on Emmanson and filed a report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

The airline stressed that safety rules must be respected at all times, warning it would maintain a zero-tolerance stance on unruly passenger behavior.