Ibom Air Places Passenger on No-Fly List After Violent Assault on Crew

Ibom Air has banned a passenger, identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, from all its flights following a violent incident on Sunday, August 10, 2025, during a Uyo-Lagos flight. The airline confirmed the passenger's conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of the crew, other passengers, and the aircraft itself.

According to a press statement released by the airline on Monday, the incident began before takeoff in Uyo when Ms. Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite multiple instructions from the crew. Her phone was eventually switched off by a fellow passenger, which prompted a verbal confrontation. The flight proceeded as scheduled.

However, upon arrival in Lagos, the situation escalated dramatically. Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark before assaulting the Purser who had initially instructed her. The airline's statement detailed that she "stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her." When another cabin crew member intervened, she was also slapped. The passenger then attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon, an act that could have damaged the aircraft.

Ibom Air security and FAAN security were alerted and, according to the airline, Ms. Emmanson continued to lash out violently at personnel upon their arrival. The Purser, whose actions were captured on a viral video, bravely prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived to restrain her. Ms. Emmanson was eventually removed by force and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

Ibom Air has since filed a report with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and has placed a permanent travel restriction on Ms. Emmanson. The airline reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for any form of unruly or violent conduct, emphasizing that such behavior will be met with the "strongest possible response, including legal action." The airline also commended the professionalism of its crew and the swift response from airport security.

The video of the Incident