The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will hold a meeting with Ibom Air and eyewitnesses to examine the events surrounding a recent incident aboard one of the airline’s flights.
The Authority had earlier appealed to passengers on the Uyo-to-Lagos flight to provide firsthand accounts of the altercation that occurred before take-off.
In an update posted on X on Wednesday, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, revealed that a passenger seated beside the woman seen in viral videos has contacted him, offering a detailed statement on what transpired.
“Some aspects of his testimony provide an opportunity to explore other perspectives on the case, including the behaviour of other individuals involved and how passengers were handled before departure,” Achimugu said.
He noted that although the witness plans to release a public statement later in the day, the NCAA has already issued a Letter of Investigation (LOI) to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and witnesses for a formal meeting.
“The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, alongside the NCAA, has a solid track record of safeguarding the rights of all stakeholders in the sector, and we will continue to do so,” he added. “It’s reassuring to have a credible witness come forward, especially in the midst of misinformation circulating on social media.”
Achimugu stressed that the matter will be thoroughly investigated to uncover the full details and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
‘Information Will Help Close Gaps in Aviation Sector’
In a follow-up post, Achimugu affirmed that the statement issued earlier by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, “stands.”
He explained that every detail gathered from conversations and investigations will help identify weaknesses in the system and address them.
“Mediation is an acceptable form of conflict resolution, and the minister has demonstrated leadership once again,” he said.
Incident Background
The altercation, which occurred on August 10, was captured in videos widely shared online. In the footage, a female passenger, identified as Comfort Emmanson, is seen assaulting a flight attendant and confronting airport security officials.
According to Ibom Air, the incident began when Emmanson refused to comply with safety instructions to switch off her mobile phone before take-off.
The airline subsequently banned her from all its flights, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) placed her on a lifetime “no-fly” list, describing the case as “one of the most severe instances of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.”
She was later charged in court and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility.
However, earlier on Wednesday, the aviation minister announced that Emmanson would be released this week, with the AON agreeing to lift the lifetime ban.
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