By Ayo Kehinde
A passenger, Ms Comfort Emmanson, earlier placed on a no-fly list by Ibom Air for alleged disruptive behaviour, has been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre over an assault on the airline’s crew.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a post on X, confirming that Emmanson was charged to court following the incident.
Her arrest and arraignment come amid warnings by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that enforcement actions against unruly passengers will be stepped up in light of rising in-flight misconduct.
Ibom Air had accused Emmanson of posing a serious safety threat on its flight from Uyo to Lagos. According to the airline, she refused to switch off her mobile phone when instructed, launching into a verbal tirade when a fellow passenger eventually powered it down.
Upon arrival in Lagos, she allegedly attacked the purser who had given the initial instruction, stepping on her, tearing off her wig, removing her glasses, and hitting her with footwear.
She was also accused of slapping the purser repeatedly, assaulting another crew member, attempting to seize a fire extinguisher, and attacking both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria security personnel.
She was restrained and handed over to the police, with Ibom Air subsequently banning her from all its flights.
