The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has placed a lifetime no-fly ban on Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of violently assaulting Ibom Air crew and airport personnel during and after a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10.
Eyewitness accounts and airline reports say the confrontation began when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff. She allegedly slapped and stepped on the flight’s lead purser, struck her with footwear, tore off her wig, and attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
The violence reportedly continued after landing, as Emmanson assaulted airport security and ground staff before being restrained and handed over to authorities. She has since been remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos pending trial.
AON described the incident as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour this year and called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen aviation security protocols to prevent similar threats to passenger and crew safety.
