By Hobnob News
The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a Civil Society Organisation, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the treatment of Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air and aviation regulatory authorities.
In a statement released on Monday by NEFGAD’s Head of Office, Omoniyi Akingunola, the organisation condemned what it described as “unfair, unjust, and unacceptable” treatment of Emmanson, while offering her free legal support.
The controversy arose after videos circulated online showing Emmanson in a heated confrontation with flight attendants and airport security during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
Ibom Air stated the incident began before takeoff when Emmanson refused to comply with safety protocols requiring the shutdown of mobile devices, behaviour the airline said endangered the safety of crew, passengers, and the aircraft. Subsequently, the airline imposed a lifetime travel ban on her.
NEFGAD criticised the Airline Operators of Nigeria for enforcing the ban without conducting a proper hearing or thorough investigation. The group also faulted the police for expediting court proceedings without adequate fact-finding.
Akingunola emphasised that the publicly shared footage was incomplete and called for the release of the in-flight video to shed light on whether Emmanson’s reaction was provoked.
“It is inappropriate to judge the incident solely on clips filmed outside the aircraft. There appears to be an event onboard that triggered her response after she was allegedly prevented from disembarking. This could be a deliberate escalation to justify punitive action,” the statement read.
He further questioned how a passenger forcibly removed from a plane could be expected to behave calmly and why someone initially willing to disembark would then refuse moments later.
Akingunola urged that cabin crew should not assume the role of law enforcement officers, especially when their actions result in physical confrontations.
NEFGAD’s intervention underscores the need for due process and transparency in handling such incidents within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
