The Federal Government has imposed an indefinite flight ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, following her alleged assault on the flight crew and ground staff aboard Ibom Air Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), disclosed this in a statement on Monday, describing the incident as “totally unacceptable” and warning that the government would continue to take tough measures against unruly air travellers.
According to Ibom Air, the disturbance began when the passenger refused to switch off her phone during take-off, in violation of International Civil Aviation Regulations. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) subsequently issued the ban, covering both local and international flights.
Keyamo said the passenger was arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday and remanded at Kirikiri Prison after failing to meet bail conditions.
While condemning the passenger’s conduct, the minister also criticised the public release of a video showing her indecent exposure during the scuffle with ground personnel, describing it as “deplorable” and “a debasing of womanhood.” He ordered that the staff member responsible for leaking the footage be identified and sanctioned.
The minister directed airlines to intensify training in public relations and conflict management, and announced a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week to improve coordination in handling such incidents.
He reminded passengers that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate offers established channels for addressing grievances, warning that self-help measures could attract severe consequences.
“We will not hesitate to impose lengthy flight bans and involve law enforcement agencies in dealing with erring passengers,” Keyamo said.
