CITIZENS COMPASS—A female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson yesterday, created a scene at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State. She was onboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo and was partially undressed as ground crew in Lagos forced her off the plane after an attack on a flight attendant.
Clips from the incident, posted on X by user #OHOgunbiyi, captured the female Ibom passenger dressed in a white top and black trousers engaging in a heated exchange with airport security and airline staff. Videos also showed the Ibom passenger who was being called Comfort slapping a flight attendant inside the plane. She also extended the attack after she was forced down the aircraft by the ground crew after she was forcefully deplaned in Lagos.
One passenger reporting on how Comfort attacked the flight attendant, said “she slapped her left and back.”
The commotion drew the attention of airport police, who stepped in to restore calm.
Reacting to the incident of the Ibom passenger’s attack on the hostess, the Director of Public Affairs at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, linked the altercation to the passenger’s refusal to follow crew instructions.
Achimugu emphasised that adhering to basic safety directives, such as switching off mobile phones during takeoff and landing is essential to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
When cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone before takeoff/landing, simply comply. I can’t understand why simple routine issues would lead to incidents like this. Passengers need to understand that they have responsibilities, not just rights,” he said, adding that more details on the case would be made public after further investigation.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Ibom Airlines Limited said, “Incident Involving an Unruly Passenger on August 10, 2025.
“Ibom Air confirms that on Sunday, August 10, 2025, an incident occurred on board our Uyo–Lagos flight involving a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, whose conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of our crew, passengers, and aircraft.
“Shortly before take-off from Uyo, Ms. Emmanson was instructed in line with standard aviation safety procedures, to switch off her mobile phone. 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.
“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.
“By this time, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. Before security could arrive, the Purser as seen on the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived. 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 then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault Ibom Air security personnel, and even slapped the ground supervisor.
“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 has since submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and placed a travel restriction on Ms. Emmanson, who will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft.
“Ibom Air reiterates its 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.
“We commend the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling this situation under extremely challenging circumstances, as well as the swift support from airport security and the Nigeria Police.
“Safety remains our highest priority. We urge all passengers to comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board.”
Recall that a popular Fuji singer, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal popularly known as KWAM 1, recently created a scene at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport by obstructing a flight.
Both incidents have been generating reactions among Nigerians.
