…Police files six count charges against unruly Ibom Air’s passenger
The Management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) and leadership of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have reaffirmed their commitments to zero tolerance policy on unruly air passenger.
This was made known on Monday by the management of the Nigeria’s top notch airport terminal and leadership of AON.
The airline operators affirmed that henceforth any passenger who exhibits unruly behaviour during flight shall be placed on “no-fly” list.
In a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, following an incident of alleged unruly behaviour raised against a passenger who refused to comply with standard safety protocols regarding mobile phone usage during landing procedures.
According to the BASL spokesperson an Ibom Air Passenger simply identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, was arrested not complying with the landing protocols, after she refused to comply with standard safety protocols regarding mobile phone usage during landing procedures and chose to exhibiting multiple acts of aggression and non-compliance that endangered the safety of airline crew members and airport security personnel.
Yinka-Adewuyi stated that the passenger arrived at the MMA2 terminal aboard an Ibom Air flight QI 513 from Uyo, on August 10 2025 at approximately 2:30pm.
She added that Emmanson who physically assaulted multiple airport personnel including an Ibom Air cabin crew member, Ms.Juliana Edward, was arrested and handed over to FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) for further investigation and for onward transfer to the Airport Command of the Nigerian Police Force for prosecution.
African Business Travel News (ABTNEWS) can authoritatively report that after a thorough investigation by a team of the Nigeria police force personnel led by one Seye Ogundipe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)., the Emmanson was formally brought before a Lagos State Magistrate sitting at Court 17 Ogba, Ikeja Lagos on Monday with six count change.
While condemning the violent act exhibited by Emmanson, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has placed a “no-fly-ban” for life on her.
AON, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Prof Obiora Okonkwo said after reviewing the violent incident involving the passenger, it decided to place the life ban on her.
“We condemn the violent incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on Ibom Air flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025. We reviewed the detailed statement issued by Ibom Air regarding the incident and we commend the airline for its swift and professional handling of this unfortunate event and fully endorse the actions taken.
“The incident which Ibom Air described, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage which led to the brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year. This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable. Therefore, effective immediately,
the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely. She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life. Such incidents have become one too many with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace. It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC).
The AON therefore called on Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently and immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.
Saying, “The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers.”
It added that anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequence even as it recognises the rights of passengers to express their grievances, it position that such actions must follow due process.
The airline operators therefore reiterated their commitments to protecting their employees, passengers, equipment and to maintain the highest safety standards.
