Ibom Air Bans Passenger For Life After Violent Attack On Crew Members
Ibom Air has slammed a lifetime travel ban on a female passenger, Ms Comfort Emmanson, after she allegedly launched a violent attack on crew members and security personnel during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday.
The airline, in a statement on Monday, said the incident occurred shortly before take-off at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, when the passenger bluntly refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions from the cabin crew in line with standard safety procedures.
According to the airline, the situation escalated after a fellow passenger switched off the phone on her behalf, prompting Ms Emmanson to hurl verbal abuse. While the flight eventually departed on schedule, trouble resumed on arrival in Lagos.
The statement alleged that Ms Emmanson waited for other passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser who had earlier instructed her to switch off her phone. She was said to have stepped on the crew member, yanked off her wig, removed her glasses, threw them to the floor, and assaulted her repeatedly.
The airline further alleged that she slapped another crew member who tried to intervene, before attempting to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act the airline said could have caused damage to the aircraft.
Airport security was alerted, but even upon their arrival, the passenger allegedly continued her violent outburst, attacking both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria security operatives, as well as the airline’s ground supervisor. She was eventually restrained, removed from the aircraft, and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
“Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment,” the statement read, adding that the airline had also reported the matter to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The management commended the “bravery and professionalism” of its crew in handling the incident under “extremely challenging circumstances” and urged passengers to always comply with crew instructions for the safety and comfort of all on board.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
