Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has urged others who were onboard the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos with Ms Comfort Emmanson to provide an eyewitness report of the unruly incident on Sunday.

MyNigeria reported that Emmanson was dragged off the flight on arrival in Lagos, allegedly due to her rude behaviour.

Ibom Air stated on Monday that she refused to obey instructions to turn off her phone, as issued by a flight attendant during the trip.

"She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off. This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled," Ibom Air said

The airline said that upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser, who had earlier instructed her.

"She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses, threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her. She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft," Ibom Air said.

NCAA has now called on other passengers who may have witnessed the scene to come forward with their version of the incident for fairness.

NCAA spokesperson said on X, "Any person who was a passenger on that Ibom Air Uyo-Lagos flight (IAN513) and witnessed the events that led to the fracas should, as a matter of urgency and fairness, reach out to me via DM or michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng

"Once verified that you were actually a passenger on that flight, we can discuss and try to understand other perspectives to this issue.

"In the interest of justice and fairness, it is necessary to hear both sides of the story."

Achimugu clarified that his call for witnesses does not negate the exhibition of unruly behaviour and its ramifications, "but it will ensure that every other person who was culpable down the line is held accountable."

He said, "We will also be sending our officers in Lagos on a fact-finding mission to the police and other security personnel who were part of the entire chain of events.

"Finally, one hopes that lessons are learned from all of these events and that the necessary adjustments and improvements are implemented by all stakeholders; passengers, airline staff, aviation security, etc.

"It is a test for the system. No matter how fine regulations are, human behaviour will always be unpredictable. When these events occur, we are able to see the gaps and pluck loopholes.

"At the end of it all, the message remains the same; IN AVIATION, IT IS SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY SECOND, AND SAFETY THIRD."


ASA