The incident reportedly began before take-off in Uyo when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite safety instructions.
LAGOS — Comfort Emmanson, a passenger filmed assaulting crew and security officials on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at Kirikiri correctional facility.
Tunde Moshood, media adviser to the minister of aviation, confirmed the development on Monday via X, warning the flying public to desist from unruly conduct. This comes as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority pledged stricter enforcement against disruptive passengers.
The incident reportedly began before take-off in Uyo when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite safety instructions. A fellow passenger switched it off, prompting a verbal outburst. Upon arrival in Lagos, she allegedly confronted and physically assaulted the purser who had issued the instruction.
Ibom Air condemned the behaviour, stating it endangered crew, passengers, and the aircraft.
The airline announced a lifetime ban on Emmanson, saying she would “no longer be allowed to fly on any of its aircraft.”
Videos of the altercation have gone viral on social media, sparking calls for tougher penalties on air rage incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector.