The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, has provided fresh insight into the recent incident involving an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmason, which led to her arrest and prosecution.
Speaking in an interview with DAILY POST, Achimugu explained the sequence of events and clarified why the passenger’s case ended up in court, as well as the broader challenges the NCAA faces in preventing unruly behaviour by airline passengers.
According to preliminary findings, the trouble began when Emmason allegedly refused to switch off her phone before take-off, an action that angered other passengers. A fellow passenger seated beside her reportedly took the phone and switched it off, fearing safety risks. Throughout the flight, Achimugu said, Emmason was allegedly disruptive—gesturing offensively to both passengers and crew—prompting the cabin crew to avoid confrontation.
Upon landing in Lagos, all passengers disembarked except Emmason, who remained on board unnoticed. As the aircraft was being prepared for the next flight, she allegedly confronted a flight attendant and began to slap her. The situation escalated when she reportedly attempted to use the aircraft’s fire extinguisher as a weapon, prompting urgent calls for security.
“When security arrived, she resisted removal, fighting, grabbing, and hitting people. In such situations, removal from a small-body aircraft is rarely tidy,” Achimugu explained. “Even after being taken into the airport bus, she was still fighting.”
Footage from the incident showed Emmason’s clothing torn during the struggle. Achimugu insisted this was not intentional but a consequence of her resistance. “If she had quietly complied, there would have been no such scene,” he stated.
Addressing public comparisons with other high-profile incidents, such as that involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1), Achimugu stressed that the NCAA does not have prosecutorial powers and did not sue either party. “The Ibom Air passenger was charged to court by the authorities. The NCAA’s position is zero tolerance for unruly passenger behaviour, but we cannot intervene once a matter is before the court,” he said.
On efforts to curb such incidents, Achimugu acknowledged that prevention is difficult. “Human behaviour is unpredictable. We can educate passengers, but rules exist because some people will still break them. That’s why there are punishments—fines, imprisonment, and no-fly lists—to deter others.”
He advised passengers to follow crew instructions at all times, stressing that safety rules are non-negotiable. “If the crew asks you to turn off your phone, it’s not up for debate. It’s about safety, not personal opinion,” he warned.
The case against Comfort Emmason remains in court as authorities pursue legal action over the incident.
