What Really Happened: NCAA Speaks on Ibom Air Passenger–Air Hostess Airport Drama

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has provided fresh insight into the controversial case of Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmason, whose removal from an aircraft in Lagos sparked heated debate after videos of the altercation went viral. Speaking in an interview with *Daily Post*, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, described the sequence of events as established by the agency’s preliminary investigation and addressed the wider challenges of curbing unruly passenger behaviour.

Achimugu explained that the dispute began before takeoff when Emmason allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone, despite repeated instructions from the cabin crew. The refusal reportedly frustrated other passengers, and one passenger seated next to her even took the phone and switched it off manually. According to Achimugu, this act reflected genuine concern among travellers, as some passengers feel unsafe when safety instructions are ignored. He stated that the tension did not end there. Throughout the flight, Emmason was alleged to have acted aggressively, including making offensive gestures such as raising her middle finger toward both passengers and crew members. To prevent escalation, the cabin crew avoided further confrontation until the plane landed in Lagos.

Once the flight had arrived and passengers disembarked, the crew believed Emmason had also left the aircraft. However, she remained seated in her assigned spot, 14F. While preparations for the next flight were underway, she reportedly approached a female flight attendant and slapped her. Security was called immediately, but before they arrived, Emmason attempted to leave the plane. The air hostess blocked her path to prevent her from exiting until help arrived. Achimugu alleged that when security personnel boarded the aircraft, the passenger resisted forcefully, hitting and grabbing people and, at one point, attempting to use the plane’s fire extinguisher as a weapon against the air hostess.

The physical struggle to remove her from the small aircraft was recorded on video and widely circulated on social media. In the footage, parts of her clothing were torn and her body partially exposed. Achimugu said this was not a deliberate act by security but rather the result of her intense resistance during removal. He maintained that such situations are “never tidy” when a passenger is physically aggressive. He also stressed that the priority in this instance was to prevent potential harm to crew members and to clear the aircraft for its next scheduled boarding.

The incident drew comparisons with a previous case involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as K1 De Ultimate, who faced no apparent legal consequences after allegedly misbehaving on a flight. Achimugu rejected any suggestion of preferential treatment, explaining that NCAA does not prosecute passengers. In Emmason’s case, she was arrested and charged to court, while in K1’s situation, there was no legal action initiated. Once a matter is in court, Achimugu emphasised, NCAA has no role to play beyond enforcing regulations and maintaining safety standards.

Addressing the broader question of prevention, Achimugu said unruly passenger incidents happen globally and can never be entirely eradicated because human behaviour is unpredictable. He noted that NCAA continues to educate passengers on safety compliance and enforces deterrents such as fines, imprisonment, and the no-fly list, but these measures only take effect after an offence is committed. He added that the rules in place are designed for passenger safety and must be obeyed regardless of personal opinion or past travel experiences.

Achimugu concluded with a firm message to Nigerian travellers: when the cabin crew instructs passengers to switch off phones or follow other safety guidelines, compliance is not optional. “The laws are made for your safety. If they tell you to turn off your phone, turn it off. It’s not about what you think will happen — it’s about following established aviation safety procedures,” he said. The case involving Comfort Emmason remains before the courts, and public debate continues over whether the measures taken to remove her were proportionate to the alleged offence.