FG Launches Investigation into In-Flight Incident

The Federal Government has initiated a thorough investigation into the release of inappropriate footage related to a troubling in-flight incident involving a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and the staff of Ibom Airline in Lagos State. 

Additionally, the government has announced that a joint security meeting will take place next week with agencies overseeing the aviation sector to enhance security coordination during future occurrences.

This announcement was made on Monday following Emmanson's remand in Kirikiri prison by a Lagos magistrate court for failing to meet bail conditions regarding her behavior on flight Q153 traveling from Uyo to Lagos the previous day.

Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has instructed that the individual responsible for leaking the footage among the staff be identified and facing sanctions, deeming the release unacceptable.

The now-viral video features graphic imagery of Emmanson partially undressed during the altercation—something the Federal Government has vehemently condemned.

Keyamo stated, "Today we became aware of viral videos showing a female passenger on Ibom Airline, now recognized as Ms. Comfort Emmanson or Comfort Bob, behaving violently and attacking the flight crew and ground staff."

The incident, which occurred on August 10, 2025, during Ibom Airline Flight No. Q153 from Uyo to Lagos at approximately 14:54, has been contextually explained by Ibom Airline, noting that it arose from Emmanson's refusal to turn off her phone during take-off, as mandated by international aviation regulations.

Keyamo has engaged with the Commissioner of Police from the Airport Police Command, the Director-General of the NCAA and his team, as well as the Managing Director of FAAN and the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air regarding the incident.

Following the indefinite flight ban placed on the unruly passenger by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), police have brought her to court this morning at the Ikeja Magistrates Court on criminal charges and subsequently remanded her in Kirikiri Prisons due to her inability to provide sufficient sureties in court. Attached are the Charge Sheet and Remand Order for further clarity.

He also acknowledged the altercation between the disruptive passenger and ground staff before she was subdued, attributing it to her noncompliance. While supporting the documentation of her conduct for prosecution, Keyamo emphasized the inappropriateness of publicly sharing footage that includes indecent exposure, asserting that it is unacceptable to demean womanhood in this way.

He has mandated that the staff responsible for disseminating the indecent footage be properly sanctioned.

Furthermore, he has instructed airlines to consistently train their personnel in public relations and management of potentially volatile situations to mitigate them effectively unless absolutely unavoidable. A joint security meeting is also planned for next week to ensure better security measures in similar future incidents.

For passengers with legitimate grievances, appropriate channels exist to address their issues, which the Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has continually shared.

There is no justification for individuals to take the law into their own hands, which may result in severe repercussions.

The enforcement of strict penalties against any offending passengers—including lengthy flight bans—will continue, with matters also reported to relevant law enforcement bodies to act within their authority.