Airline Operators of Nigeria Slap Lifetime ‘No Fly’ Ban on Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson (FULL TEXT)

AON has banned Ms. Comfort Emmanson for life after she allegedly assaulted Ibom Air crew and endangered passengers on a Uyo–Lagos flight.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime flying ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson after a violent incident aboard Ibom Air flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

According to AON, Emmanson refused to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone use before physically assaulting crew members and attempting to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

The association described the altercation as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour this year, noting that it endangered the lives of passengers, crew, and the aircraft.

Effective immediately, Emmanson is barred from flying with any AON member airline, both domestically and internationally, for life. The AON compared the incident to recent high-profile cases of in-flight misconduct involving Nigerian musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

DON’T MISS: ‘Unruly’ Comfort Emmanson Jailed in 24 Hours for Airline Assault While ‘KWAM 1’ Walks Free After Airport Obstruction

The association also used the opportunity to urge the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to tighten airport security, highlighting lapses in the Aviation Security (AVSEC) response.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance, AON warned that any future incidents of violent passenger behaviour will attract similar penalties.

Read full text below:

AIRLINE OPERATORS OF NIGERIA

Monday, August 11, 2025

AON PLACES ‘NO FLY’ LIFE BAN ON IBOM AIR PASSENGER, COMFORT EMMANSON FOR UNRULY BEHAVIOUR

We condemn the violent incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on Ibom Air flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025. We reviewed the detailed statement issued by Ibom Air regarding the incident and we commend the airline for its swift and professional handling of this unfortunate event and fully endorse the actions taken.

The incident which Ibom Air described, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage which led to the brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year. This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable. Therefore, effective immediately, the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely. She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life. Such incidents have become one too many with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace.

It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC). The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.

The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers. Going forward, anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequence. While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process. We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers, equipment and to maintain the highest safety standards.

Signed
Prof. Obiora Okonkwo (OFR)
Spokesperson for AON