AON Slams Lifetime No-Fly Ban on Ibom Air Passenger Over Violent Assault
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson after she allegedly assaulted multiple crew members aboard an Ibom Air flight, sparking widespread condemnation within the aviation industry.
The incident occurred on August 10, 2025, during Ibom Air flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos.
According to accounts from the airline, Ms. Emmanson initially refused to comply with safety instructions to switch off her mobile phone before take-off. It took the intervention of the pilot and a fellow passenger before she reluctantly complied.
Upon arrival in Lagos, the situation escalated dramatically. Witnesses say Ms. Emmanson stepped on the aircraft’s purser, ripped off her wig, hurled her glasses to the floor, and struck her and other crew members with her footwear.
She reportedly attempted to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon, attacked Ibom Air security staff, and even assaulted the airline’s ground supervisor.
The sustained aggression prompted an urgent response from security personnel, who restrained her before handing her over to the police. She has since been charged and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.
In response, AON—representing all domestic carriers in Nigeria—announced an indefinite lifetime no-fly ban on Ms. Emmanson, effectively barring her from flying with any of its member airlines within or outside the country.
Speaking on the matter, AON spokesperson Prof. Obiora Okonkwo described the episode as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger conduct witnessed this year.
He stressed that the nature and duration of the violence posed a serious threat not only to crew safety but to the aircraft’s integrity and passenger security.
He also noted a troubling rise in cases of in-flight misconduct, citing recent incidents involving public figures, and warned that future offenders would face similar consequences without exception.
Ibom Air has expressed full support for the ban, reiterating its commitment to the safety and dignity of both its crew and passengers.
The case has ignited a broader debate on the need for stricter enforcement and legal deterrents against disruptive passenger behavior in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
