The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is appealing to passenger on the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos last Sunday, to provide accounts of what transpired that led to a fiasco onboard.
Last Sunday, videos online showed a passenger identified as Comfort Emmanson smacking at least two air hostesses of Ibom Air while refusing to disembark from the plane after it touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. Afterwards, the enraged passenger also engaged in a tussle with airport security officials.
According to the airline in a statement, the incident began shortly before take-off from Uyo when Emmanson refused to comply with standard aviation safety procedures by switching off her mobile phone.
The aviation firm said another passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off, prompting a verbal tirade from Emmanson.
The company stated that upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson confront the purser who had earlier instructed her to switch off her phone and physically assaulted her.
The airline said her conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers and aircraft.
Ibom Air has since imposed a travel restriction on her, adding that she will no longer be allowed to fly on any of its aircraft.
Describing Emmanson’s action as “one of the most severe cases of unruly behaviour witnessed this year”, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) placed her on a “no-fly” list for life on all domestic and international routes.
The event, which occurred days after a similar air rage incident involving Wasiu Atinde, a prominent Fuji artist also known as KWAM 1, has since sparked a mix of reactions across the country, compelling the intervention of the NCAA.
In a statement via X on Tuesday, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, urged witnesses to contact him directly via DM or email at michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng.
He said the regulator is seeking “other perspectives” on the events to ensure fairness and accountability.
“Once verified that you were actually a passenger on that flight, we can discuss and try to understand other perspectives to this issue,” Achimugu said.
“In the interest of justice and fairness, it is necessary to hear both sides of the story.
“Of course, this does not negate the exhibition of unruly behaviour and its ramifications, but it will ensure that every other person who was culpable down the line is held accountable.”
The NCAA spokesperson said officials will be deployed in Lagos on a fact-finding mission, engaging with police and other security agencies involved in handling the situation.
Achimugu said the incident offers an opportunity for all stakeholders, passengers, airlines’ staff members, and aviation security, to learn lessons and improve response protocols.
“It is a test for the system. No matter how fine regulations are, human behaviour will always be unpredictable. When these events occur, we are able to see the gaps and pluck loopholes,” he said.
Achimugu said: “in aviation, it is safety first, safety second, and safety third.”
