- Safiu Kehinde
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger who assaulted officials of Ibom Air at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
NPO Reports that the incident occurred on the airline’s Uyo-Lagos flight on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The passenger was caught in a trending video slapping airline officials and forcibly dragged out by security personnel.
Recall that NPO had reported that the management of Ibom Air has also imposed a travel restriction on her, after noting that she posed threat to flight safety.
Video of the female passenger being dragged out with parts of her body exposed has also caused outrage with many condemning the airline officials.
While Emmanson had since been arraigned and remanded in Kirikiri prison, the AON, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, condmened the unruly act of the passenger.
The operators thereby declared an indefinite No Fly ban on the Emmanson.
AON called on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to review and tighten security procedures across all airports in the country.
The operators cited similar incidents, including the recent clash between popular Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde (K1 De Ultimate) and ValueJet officials as well as the alleged sabotage of Air Peace operation by former Edo State Governor’s, Adams Oshiomole.
The statement read; “We condemn the violent incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on Ibom Air flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.
“We reviewed the detailed statement issued by Ibom Air regarding the incident and we commend the airline for its swift and professional handling of this unfortunate event and fully endorse the actions taken.
“The incident which Ibom Air described, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage which led to the brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.
“This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable.
“Therefore, effective immediately, the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘NO Fly’ list indefinitely. She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life.
“Such incidents have become one too many with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace.
“It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC).
“The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.
“The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers.
“Going forward, anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequence.
“While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process. We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers, equipment and to maintain the highest safety standards.”