NCAA Calls on Ibom Air Passengers for Eyewitness Accounts of August 10 Flight Altercation

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on passengers who were on the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025, to come forward with information regarding a serious altercation that unfolded on board and escalated upon landing in Lagos. The regulatory body wishes to hear firsthand accounts from passengers to fully understand the sequence of events and ensure fairness in addressing the incident.

According to NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, passengers with useful information should contact him directly via michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng. The NCAA emphasized the importance of hearing multiple perspectives beyond the actions of the unruly passenger to hold all culpable parties accountable.

The incident involved a female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff despite repeated instructions from the cabin crew in line with aviation safety regulations. After the Pilot-in-Command intervened, another passenger turned off the phone, which triggered a verbal outburst from Ms. Emmanson. The flight departed on time, but tensions escalated upon arrival in Lagos.

Ms. Emmanson allegedly confronted the purser, physically assaulted her by tearing off her wig and glasses, slapped her multiple times, and used her footwear to strike her. When other crew members intervened, she reportedly attacked them as well. She also attempted to seize a fire extinguisher as a weapon, an act considered dangerous enough to potentially ground the aircraft.

Ibom Air security personnel and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security staff intervened, restraining Ms. Emmanson, who was subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Police Force. The airline imposed a permanent travel ban on her and reported the incident to the NCAA. She has been charged in court and remanded in Kirikiri Prison following a hearing in Lagos.

Mike Achimugu clarified that the NCAA did not instruct Ibom Air to prosecute or impose sanctions, noting the airline acted on the evidence available. The authority is determined to ensure justice by gathering all relevant testimonies and making necessary improvements in passenger conduct enforcement, crew safety, and airport security protocols.

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The NCAA hopes that lessons will be learned from this disturbing episode to prevent future occurrences and protect the safety and dignity of all passengers, airline staff, and security personnel.

Passengers present on the flight who witnessed the events are urged to come forward to contribute to a fair and comprehensive investigation. Contact details for submissions have been provided by the NCAA.

This incident is a significant reminder for all stakeholders in Nigerian aviation — including passengers, crew, and regulators — on the critical importance of respecting safety protocols and maintaining order to ensure safe travel for everyone involved.