Ibom Air passenger arrested for assaulting crew, Permanently banned

Kola Oyelere Kano

Another passenger ,who boarded Ibom Air, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, has been confirmed for allegedly assaulting its crew members and security personnel during and after a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday.

However,the  incident comes barely a week after a Fuji musician attempted to disrupt an aircraft’s taxiing at Abuja International Airport.

According to the airline, trouble began before take-off when Ms. Emmanson repeatedly refused instructions to switch off her mobile phone in line with aviation safety regulations.

But as the trouble continue,while the device was eventually powered down following the intervention of the pilot-in-command and a fellow passenger, sparking an angry outburst from her.

Then the flight continued without further disruption, matters escalated on arrival in Lagos. Witnesses and officials say Ms. Emmanson waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser who had earlier spoken to her.

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It was alleged that She  stepped on the crew member, tore off her wig, removed her glasses, and struck her repeatedly with her hands and footwear. A second crew member who tried to intervene was also slapped.

The situation took a dangerous turn when Ms. Emmanson allegedly attempted to remove a fire extinguisher from its mount, which the airline warned could have damaged the aircraft and forced it out of service.

Following her a rude behavior,the
pilot alerted security, and viral footage from the scene shows the Purser blocking the passenger’s exit until help arrived.

Not satisfied,  Ms. Emmanson attacked both its security staff and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel who responded, also striking the airline’s ground supervisor.

She was eventually restrained, removed from the ramp, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by FAAN security for investigation.

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The airline has imposed a permanent travel ban on Ms. Emmanson, reported the matter to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour.

Ibom Air commended the professionalism of its crew, thanked airport security and the police for their swift action, and reminded passengers that safety is its top priority, urging full compliance with crew instructions at all times.