Passenger Dragged Off Plane by Authorities After Allegedly Fighting with Cabin Crew Over Turning Off Her Cellphone

Passenger Evicted from Flight for Refusing to Turn Off Cellphone

An incident occurred on an Ibom Air flight where a passenger was forcibly removed for allegedly refusing to switch off her cellphone. This occurred on Sunday, August 10, during a flight from the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, as confirmed by the airline in a statement shared on social media.

The passenger involved was identified as Ms. Comfort Emmanson, and the airline stated that her behaviour posed a significant threat to the safety of the crew, passengers, and the aircraft itself. Ibom Air reported that she was banned from flying with the company due to their “zero-tolerance policy” towards such incidents.

According to the airline’s account, Ms. Emmanson had been instructed, in line with standard aviation safety procedures, to turn off her cellphone. Despite this, she allegedly reacted by engaging in a verbal altercation when another passenger took her phone to switch it off. The situation calmed down eventually, allowing the flight to proceed.

Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson reportedly confronted the crew member who had asked her to comply with the cellphone rule. The confrontation escalated to physical violence, where she allegedly tore off the flight attendant’s wig, removed her glasses, and proceeded to physically assault her.

The escalation was captured in a video shared by the Associated Press, showing authorities dragging the passenger off the aircraft after she reportedly attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon, endangering the aircraft. Security was alerted, and Ms. Emmanson was removed from the plane by force.

In response to the incident, the airline emphasised their commitment to passenger safety and urged all travellers to adhere to crew instructions for the well-being and security of everyone on board. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stressed the importance of passenger compliance with safety protocols.

In contrast, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticised Ibom Air’s decision to impose a lifetime ban on Ms. Emmanson, demanding a retraction of the ban, a public apology, and an impartial investigation into the matter. Various authorities, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, were contacted for additional information but have not yet responded.

Incidents like these highlight the importance of adhering to safety regulations aboard flights, with both passengers and airlines having a role to play in ensuring a secure and peaceful journey for all individuals onboard. It serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with air travel and the repercussions of failing to comply with established safety measures.

This incident has sparked discourse within the aviation community, shedding light on the complexities of maintaining order and safety in high-pressure environments such as commercial flights. By learning from such events, airlines can further enhance their protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future and uphold the safety standards vital to the aviation industry.