…condemns release of indecent video of Ibom Air passenger, orders sanctions for staff involved
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has ordered sweeping reforms in aviation safety and security procedures following Sunday’s violent altercation involving an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob.
The incident occurred on August 10, 2025, aboard Ibom Air Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos at 14:54 hours. According to the airline, the passenger refused to switch off her mobile phone during take-off in violation of international aviation safety regulations, sparking a confrontation that escalated into physical assaults on both flight crew and ground staff.
Keyamo disclosed in a statement on Monday that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had imposed an indefinite ban on the passenger, covering both domestic and international flights.
He added that the police promptly arraigned her at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning for criminal offences, after which she was remanded at Kirikiri Prison for failing to meet bail conditions.
While commending the use of video evidence to aid prosecution, the minister condemned the public release of footage containing indecent exposure of the passenger during the altercation.
He described the action as “totally unacceptable” and “debas[ing] to womanhood,” directing that the staff responsible be identified and sanctioned.
“I have also directed that the airlines must continue to train and retrain their staff in public relations and how to deal with potentially explosive situations in order to diffuse them promptly or nip them in the bud, except when it becomes inevitable.
“ I have also directed a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week for better coordination of security measures in situations like this or similar ones we witnessed recently,” Keyamo said.
He further ordered a joint security meeting between relevant aviation and security agencies next week to improve coordination during such incidents.
The minister warned that genuinely aggrieved passengers should seek redress through the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate rather than resorting to violence. He noted that erring passengers would face stiff penalties, including lengthy flight bans, in addition to prosecution by law enforcement agencies.
