An Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10, 2025, descended into chaos when a passenger, identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, allegedly assaulted a crew member.
According to the airline, the incident began shortly before take-off when Ms. Emmanson refused repeated instructions to switch off her mobile phone in line with aviation safety regulations.
It took the intervention of the pilot-in-command and a fellow passenger to power down the device, prompting an angry outburst from Ms. Emmanson.
Although the situation was temporarily contained, the flight proceeded as scheduled.
The statement adds that, the trouble escalated on arrival in Lagos as witnesses and airline officials said Ms. Emmanson waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the air hostess who had earlier asked her to switch off her phone.
She allegedly stepped on the crew member, tore off her wig, removed her glasses, and struck her repeatedly with both hands and footwear. A second crew member who tried to intervene was also slapped.
According to Ibom Air, Emmanson reportedly tried to remove a fire extinguisher from its mount, a move the airline said could have damaged the aircraft and forced it out of service.
By this time, the pilot had alerted security and viral footage from the scene shows the Purser preventing the passenger from leaving the aircraft until help arrived.
Ibom Air said the passenger attacked both its security staff and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel who responded, lashing out violently and even striking the airline’s ground supervisor.
She was eventually restrained, removed from the ramp, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by FAAN security for further investigation.
The airline has since placed a permanent travel ban on Ms. Emmanson and filed a report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
In the statement, Ibom Air reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on unruly conduct, warning that such actions will attract the toughest possible response, including legal action.
The carrier praised the courage and professionalism of its crew in handling the incident under extreme pressure, and thanked airport security and the police for their swift intervention.
The Airline reminded passengers that safety is its top priority and urged full compliance with crew instructions at all times.
Writing by Nosa Aituamen