NCAA Warns Travellers After Ibom Air Passenger Assaults Hostess

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned air travellers following an incident where a passenger assaulted an air hostess on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, disrupting operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

A viral video circulating on social media shows the passenger, dressed in a white top and black trousers, angrily confronting airport officials and slapping a cabin crew member before police intervened.

This comes just weeks after the NCAA imposed a six-month flying ban on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, for misconduct at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the altercation stemmed from the passenger’s refusal to follow crew instructions.

He stressed that compliance with flight safety directives is non-negotiable.

“When cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone before takeoff or landing, simply comply,” Achimugu said. “I can’t understand why simple routine issues would lead to incidents like this.”

While acknowledging that passengers have rights, Achimugu reminded travellers that they also bear responsibilities to ensure smooth boarding and in-flight operations.

“Safe air travel depends on shared responsibilities,” he warned. “Passengers need to understand that they have responsibilities, not just rights.”

Ibom Air has since announced a lifetime ban on the passenger involved.

The NCAA says it will provide further details on possible sanctions once its investigation is complete.