By Emeka Blast 
Passenger Permanently Banned from Ibom Air After Crew Assault
Ibom Air has issued a strong condemnation of an unruly passenger’s disruptive and violent behavior aboard its Uyo-to-Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025, which endangered the safety of crew members, fellow passengers, and the aircraft itself. The airline detailed the incident in a press release, confirming that the passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, has been handed over to authorities and permanently barred from flying with Ibom Air.
According to the airline, the trouble began shortly before takeoff from Uyo when Ms. Emmanson was asked to switch off her mobile phone in compliance with standard aviation safety protocols. She refused, prompting the Pilot-in-Command to make an announcement. A nearby passenger then intervened by taking the phone and turning it off, which sparked a heated verbal outburst from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was de-escalated, allowing the flight to proceed as planned.
Upon landing in Lagos, after all other passengers had disembarked, Ms. Emmanson confronted the Purser who had initially instructed her. In a shocking escalation, she stepped on the Purser, forcibly removed her wig, snatched her glasses and hurled them to the floor, and assaulted her with her footwear. She slapped the Purser repeatedly and, when another cabin crew member attempted to intervene, slapped her as well. Ms. Emmanson then tried to seize a fire extinguisher, an action that could have caused significant damage to the aircraft and grounded it.
By this point, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. The Purser, as captured in a viral video circulating online, blocked Ms. Emmanson from exiting the plane until help arrived. Even after Ibom Air security personnel reached the scene, Ms. Emmanson continued her assault, attacking both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security staff, including slapping the ground supervisor.
Ms. Emmanson was restrained, removed from the aircraft, and taken into custody by FAAN security before being transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation. Ibom Air has reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and imposed a permanent travel ban on her, ensuring she can no longer board any of their flights.
Ibom Air reiterated its strict zero-tolerance policy for any unruly or violent behavior that jeopardizes safety. “Such conduct will be met with the firmest response, including legal action and a lifetime ban from our services,” the statement read. The airline commended its crew for their professionalism under duress and thanked airport security and the Nigeria Police for their prompt intervention.
“Safety is our utmost priority,” the release concluded. “We call on all passengers to adhere to crew instructions at all times to ensure the security and comfort of everyone on board.”
Social media reactions have been swift, with many users praising the crew’s handling of the situation and condemning Ms. Emmanson’s actions. On X, @NaijaGist tweeted, “Unruly passenger assaults Ibom Air crew—lifetime ban well deserved! Safety first! #IbomAirIncident,” while @EagleEyeNG posted, “Viral video shows the chaos. Kudos to the Purser for standing her ground. #PassengerFromHell.”
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in aviation safety, with airlines like Ibom Air emphasizing the need for passenger compliance amid rising reports of disruptive behavior globally.
