JUST IN: Ibom Air passenger who assaulted crew member remanded in Kirikiri

Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting a crew member during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been arraigned in court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.

Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed the development in a post on his official X handle on Monday.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has also reiterated that stricter enforcement measures will be applied against disruptive passengers, following a rise in such incidents at Nigerian airports.

The case stems from a viral video showing Emmanson repeatedly slapping a Purser after being told to switch off her phone before take-off. Ibom Air has since banned her from flying on its aircraft, citing her behaviour as a serious safety threat.

The airline alleged that she not only assaulted crew members but also attempted to remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, describing the act as an “intention to damage and ground the aircraft.”

This incident comes shortly after a similar controversy involving Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who tried to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from departing after being deboarded.