By Kingston Magare 11.8.2025
An Air Ibom passenger identified as Comfort Emmanson went berserk during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday as she fought with airline staff and security officials.
Miss Emmanson was told to switch off her mobile phone as the plane was preparing to take off from Uyo airport, but she refused to comply, and a fellow passenger irked by her stubbornness forcibly took the phone from her. But on landing in Lagos, she attacked one of the air hostesses.
And when she got off the plan she fought with ground staff and police later took her away. This coming a few days after popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a.k.a Kwam 1 attempted to stop a taxing aircraft at the Abuja airport after he had been denied boarding, because he was allegedly carrying alcohol in a flask.
Air Ibom said Monday Emmanson has been ban from all its flight from now on.
“The passenger was removed from the ramp and taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation,” Ibom Air said.
“She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.
“This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser who had earlier instructed her. She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.
“She slapped her several times and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
“The arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel, did not deter the passenger as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at both Ibom Air and FAAN security. She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault both Ibom Air and FAAN security staff and even slapped the ground supervisor.
“Ibom Air has since submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.”