NCAA Explains Why Unruly Ibom Air Passenger Was Forcibly Removed and Charged to Court

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has shed light on the dramatic removal of an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmason, whose altercation on board a Lagos-bound flight sparked public outrage.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, detailed the findings of the agency’s preliminary investigation, stressing that Emmason’s removal was a matter of safety and necessity.

According to Achimugu, the incident began when the passenger refused to switch off her phone before departure, angering others on board. “Another passenger beside her even took her phone and turned it off,” he revealed. “Throughout the flight, she was unruly, flashing offensive gestures at passengers and crew. Upon landing, she stayed behind in the aircraft and later walked up to an air hostess and slapped her.”

Achimugu said the situation escalated further when Emmason allegedly attempted to attack the crew member with a fire extinguisher. “No one is going to sit back and watch someone get killed. Security was called, and because she was violently resisting, she had to be removed by any means necessary,” he said.

The NCAA spokesperson noted that Emmason’s clothing got torn during the struggle because she was “fighting aggressively” both inside the aircraft and later in the airport bus.

Addressing comparisons with the recent incident involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1), Achimugu dismissed suggestions of preferential treatment. “The Ibom Air passenger was arrested and charged to court. The NCAA has zero tolerance for unruly passenger behaviour but no powers to prosecute — that’s for the courts,” he explained.

On preventing future occurrences, Achimugu said while the NCAA continues to educate travellers, human behaviour is unpredictable. “Rules exist for your safety, not opinion. If cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone, do it. The laws are there to protect you,” he advised.

He added that sanctions such as fines, imprisonment, and no-fly lists remain in place to deter disruptive behaviour in Nigerian aviation.