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Passengers on an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo last week experienced a journey they would never forget. What was meant to be a smooth trip turned into a scene of chaos when one passenger, identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, allegedly launched a violent physical attack on the crew, sparking panic among travellers.
The incident, which occurred on board the afternoon flight, left many shaken and confused. Eyewitnesses said the trouble began after the aircraft had settled into cruising altitude. Flight attendants were moving through the aisle to serve passengers when Ms. Emmanson suddenly became aggressive and began shouting. In a matter of seconds, the confrontation escalated into physical assault.
According to passengers seated nearby, the scene was both frightening and heartbreaking. “We were shocked. She started hitting the flight attendant and pulling at her uniform. People were screaming and trying to calm her down,” one eyewitness recounted with visible distress. The cabin crew quickly moved to restrain Ms. Emmanson, but the damage had already been done—both to the airline’s safety protocols and to the sense of calm among passengers.
In an official statement, Ibom Air confirmed that Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a resident of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, had been involved in what they described as “a serious case of unruly behaviour.” The airline stressed that safety and discipline remain their top priorities, and announced that the passenger had been banned for life from boarding any Ibom Air flight. The airline also made it clear that they were taking steps to inform other carriers and aviation authorities about the incident to prevent similar risks in the future.
Investigations by Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority revealed that Ms. Emmanson’s conduct violated multiple aviation safety regulations. Under Nigerian law, unruly behaviour on a flight can lead to severe penalties, including fines, arrest, and long-term travel restrictions. Industry experts have since called for stricter enforcement to curb the rising wave of “air rage” incidents, which have been reported in various parts of the world.
For the crew members involved, the emotional toll was heavy. One attendant who asked not to be named described the ordeal as “the most frightening experience of my career.” She said that while flight attendants are trained to manage difficult passengers, physical assault is rare and deeply traumatic. “We are here to keep everyone safe, not to be attacked,” she said, her voice trembling.
The incident has since gone viral on social media, with many Nigerians expressing both outrage and sadness. Some called for compassion, suggesting there might be underlying mental health issues at play, while others insisted that no excuse can justify violence on board an aircraft.
As the dust settles, the images of Ms. Emmanson being escorted off the aircraft at Uyo airport remain etched in the minds of those who witnessed it. For the passengers on that flight, it was a reminder that safety in the skies depends on respect, calm, and cooperation. For Ibom Air, it was a warning that even one person’s reckless behaviour can threaten the lives of many.
The airline says it hopes the incident serves as a wake-up call, not just for travellers in Nigeria but across the world. “Our aircraft is a shared space,” the statement concluded, “and we owe it to each other to behave with dignity and responsibility.”
