Keyamo orders probe into leaked indecent passenger footage on Ibom Air

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has issued a sharp rebuke of unruly behaviour on flights after a violent incident on an Ibom Air service from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August 2025.

In a forceful post on X, Keyamo described the episode involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson (also named Comfort Bob) as the latest in a string of unacceptable disruptions and vowed stronger coordination and sanctions across aviation agencies.

According to airline and security accounts, the altercation erupted after the passenger refused flight-safety instructions to switch off her mobile phone.

The situation escalated into physical attacks on cabin crew and ground staff; the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an indefinite domestic and international flight ban on the woman, and she was arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet bail conditions.

Keyamo said he had been in immediate contact with senior aviation and security officials, including the Airport Police Commissioner, the NCAA Director-General, FAAN management and Ibom Air executives and confirmed that the Police had taken swift action.

He posted: “Apart from the indefinite flight ban imposed on the said unruly passenger (both local and international) by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) the Police has promptly arraigned her this morning at the Ikeja Magistrates Court for criminal offences and remanded her at Kirikiri Prisons.”

While Keyamo condemned the assault, he was equally outspoken about the public release of footage that exposed and humiliated the woman.

“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is DEPLORABLE is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her.

“That is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to us,” he wrote, and directed that whoever released the clip be identified and sanctioned.

The minister also used the case to press for systemic improvements.

He ordered that airlines step up training for front-line staff in public relations and conflict de-escalation, and announced plans for a joint security meeting among relevant agencies to tighten coordination when dealing with disruptive passengers.

“I have also directed the airlines must continue to train and retrain their staff in public relations and how to deal with potentially explosive situations,” he posted.

Keyamo reiterated the existence of formal grievance channels and warned against passengers taking the law into their own hands.

“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down remedies to address grievances. There is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences,” he said, adding that longer flight bans and criminal referrals will be enforced where necessary.

The case has provoked a national conversation about passenger conduct and agency responses. Coverage in multiple outlets highlights the speed of the police and regulatory response, while civil-liberties advocates and some public figures have criticised the humiliation of the passenger in viral clips.

The Aviation Operators of Nigeria (AON) and Ibom Air have publicly backed zero-tolerance policies for violence on board while emphasising the need for professional handling of incidents.

According to Keyamo, “We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in Aviation on any such erring passengers, that is lengthy flight bans and report the matters to other law-enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers.”