Uyo – Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air, has imposed a travel ban on a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, following a violent altercation with its cabin crew during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.

A video of the incident, which has circulated widely online, shows Ms. Emmanson slapping a female cabin crew member before being restrained and escorted away by airport security. Her clothes appeared torn during the removal process.

In a statement on Monday, the airline explained that the trouble began shortly before take-off when Ms. Emmanson was instructed, in line with aviation safety procedures, to switch off her mobile phone. She reportedly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made a public announcement. A fellow passenger eventually switched off the phone on her behalf, prompting an angry outburst.

According to Ibom Air, upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser – the lead cabin crew member who had earlier given the safety instruction.

“She stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her. She slapped her several times, and when another crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too,” the airline said.

The statement further alleged that Ms. Emmanson attempted to remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon – an act which could have damaged and grounded the aircraft. The Pilot-in-Command immediately alerted airport security.

Even after security personnel arrived, Ms. Emmanson allegedly attacked them and continued her assault after being removed from the aircraft. She was later taken into custody by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

Ibom Air confirmed it has submitted a full report of the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and placed an indefinite travel restriction on Ms. Emmanson.

“She will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft,” the statement concluded.