Ibom Air Bans Passenger After Viral Video Shows Assault on Crew and Airport Officials at Lagos Airport
Story: writen by Daniel August 12,025
Ibom Air has imposed a travel ban on a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, after she was captured in a viral video assaulting crew members and airport security officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The airline confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, August 11, 2025, describing a series of violent outbursts that began shortly before take-off from Uyo and escalated after landing in Lagos on Sunday.
According to Ibom Air, the altercation started when Emmanson repeatedly refused instructions to switch off her mobile phone, in violation of aviation safety regulations. A fellow passenger eventually took the phone and switched it off, prompting an angry verbal exchange.
While the situation appeared calm during the flight, tensions reignited after arrival in Lagos. The airline said Emmanson waited until other passengers disembarked before confronting the Purser who had earlier instructed her to turn off her phone.
She allegedly stepped on the Purser, pulled off her wig and glasses, struck her with footwear, and slapped her repeatedly. Another cabin crew member who tried to intervene was also slapped. Emmanson then attempted to remove a fire extinguisher, which the airline warned could have damaged the aircraft.
The statement added that the Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security, but before they arrived, the Purser blocked Emmanson from leaving the aircraft. When security personnel from Ibom Air and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) arrived, she allegedly attacked them as well, and later slapped the airline’s ground supervisor.
Emmanson was eventually restrained, taken into custody by FAAN security, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation. Ibom Air confirmed it has reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and placed a permanent travel restriction on her.
The incident comes just days after a similar high-profile altercation at Abuja Airport involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, which led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots and an indefinite travel ban on the singer. The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has since warned that unruly passenger behaviour poses a serious threat to aviation safety and security.
