Ibom Airlines Limited has placed a lifetime travel restriction on a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, after she allegedly refused safety instructions, verbally abused crew members, and later assaulted them during a Sunday Uyo-to-Lagos flight.
The airline revealed in a statement that shortly before departure from Uyo, Emmanson was told to switch off her phone in compliance with standard procedures but “bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement.” A nearby passenger eventually switched off the device, triggering “a verbal tirade” from her.
Although the situation was calmed mid-flight, tensions reignited upon landing in Lagos. Ibom Air said Emmanson “stepped on the Purser, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it to the floor, used her footwear to assault her, and slapped her multiple times.”
An intervention attempt by another crew member reportedly earned her a slap as well. The airline further accused Emmanson of trying to take a fire extinguisher, which they described as a deliberate act that could have grounded the aircraft.
Despite the Pilot-in-Command alerting airport security, Emmanson allegedly attacked Ibom Air security staff and FAAN officials before being restrained and taken into police custody.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has been notified, with Ibom Air insisting she will never again board any of their aircraft.