The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the release of an indecent video of Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson, who was accused of assaulting a crew member on Sunday.
Keyamo stated that while filming her unruly behaviour as evidence for prosecution was in order, releasing the footage to the public to ridicule her was “deplorable and unacceptable.” He directed that the staff member who released the video be identified and sanctioned.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever released that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned,” Keyamo said in a post on X on Monday.
He added that airlines must continue to train and retrain their staff in public relations and conflict management to defuse tense situations promptly, except when escalation becomes inevitable. He also directed a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week to improve coordination in handling such incidents.
The minister urged passengers to use laid-down channels to address grievances, noting that the Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA had provided clear remedies. “There is no point in trying to take the law into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences,” he warned. Keyamo emphasised that sanctions, including lengthy flight bans, would be applied to unruly passengers, alongside possible law enforcement action.
Meanwhile, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a no-fly lifetime ban on Emmanson. AON’s spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, said on Monday that the ban applies to all AON member airlines, both domestically and internationally, with immediate effect.
Ibom Air had earlier placed a travel restriction on Emmanson after she allegedly assaulted members of the airline’s Uyo–Lagos flight crew at Lagos airport. Viral videos showed her slapping a flight attendant as security officials tried to restrain her.
According to the airline, the incident began before take-off from Uyo when Emmanson was asked to switch off her mobile phone. She allegedly refused until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger switched it off. This, the airline said, triggered a verbal outburst from her.
The situation was calmed and the flight departed as scheduled. However, upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson reportedly waited until all passengers had disembarked before confronting the purser who had instructed her earlier. The airline said she stepped on the purser, tore off her wig, removed her glasses, threw them to the floor, and then struck her with her footwear.
