Nigerian carrier, Ibom Air, has placed an indefinite travel ban on a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, following a violent altercation with its Uyo–Lagos flight crew at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Sunday.
In a statement on Monday, the airline said Emmanson would no longer be allowed to board any of its flights after she physically attacked cabin crew members and security personnel.
“She was removed from the ramp and taken into custody by FAAN security before being handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation,” the statement read.
Viral videos on social media show Emmanson slapping a flight attendant repeatedly while security operatives tried to restrain her.
According to the airline, the trouble started before take-off in Uyo when she refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions. A fellow passenger eventually switched it off after the pilot’s announcement, prompting a verbal outburst from Emmanson.
Upon arrival in Lagos, she allegedly waited for other passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser who had instructed her earlier. The airline said she stepped on the crew member, yanked off her wig and glasses, threw them to the floor, and hit her with her footwear. She also allegedly slapped another cabin crew member who tried to intervene, and even attempted to remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon — an act that could have damaged the aircraft.
Ibom Air further stated that when its security team and FAAN operatives arrived, Emmanson assaulted them as well, slapping the airline’s ground supervisor after being forced off the aircraft.
The airline confirmed it has reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
This incident comes just days after the NCAA banned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, for six months over unruly conduct at Abuja Airport.
