Comfort Emmanson: Unruly Ibom Air passenger remanded in Kirikiri

Comfort Emmanson, the female passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew members and clashed with airport security at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport, has been charged to court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

The development was confirmed by Tunde Moshood, spokesperson to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, via a post on X.

According to Ibom Air, the incident occurred on a Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday after Emmanson refused to switch off her phone despite repeated instructions from the crew. The airline said the confrontation escalated upon arrival in Lagos, with Emmanson physically attacking the purser, another cabin crew member, and later airport security personnel.

She allegedly tore off the purser’s wig, removed her glasses, slapped her multiple times, and attempted to seize a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon — an act the airline said could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.

Even after security intervention, the passenger reportedly continued her assaults on both Ibom Air and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) staff before being restrained, removed from the aircraft, and handed over to the police.

Ibom Air has since banned Emmanson from flying on its aircraft and reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.