Comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma has reacted to the viral Ibom Air incident in which a female passenger’s shirt was torn off during an altercation with a cabin crew member, stressing the need for mental health awareness.
The incident, which happened on a flight from Uyo to Lagos, involved a passenger later identified as Comfort Emmanson. The trouble reportedly started when she refused to follow in-flight safety instructions, including switching off her mobile phone during landing.
According to eyewitnesses and footage shared online, the passenger slapped and assaulted the purser, pulled off her wig and stepped on her. She also attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon before being restrained.
Airport security, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) officials, intervened and eventually forced her off the tarmac after she refused to leave voluntarily, with her shirt torn and exposing her breats. She was handed over to the police and reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Reacting on his Instagram Story on Monday, Bovi wrote that mental illness is not only when someone is “mad and trekking and eating from a bin.”
He added: “Some people are really stressed. Some are used to abusive patterns of distressing like cussing and fighting. Some are triggered by chronic childhood trauma. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a thing.”
He also praised the airline staff for the way they handled the situation. “Kudos to the airport staff and airline hostess for the way they handled that passenger. But that girl needs to be taken to a hospital. That looked like a manic episode. Yes, she should face the law. But she also needs mental treatment. Most of us do,” he said.
The NCAA’s spokesperson Michael Achimugu also urged passengers to comply with safety protocols. “When cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone before takeoff or landing, simply comply. I can’t understand why simple routine issues would lead to incidents like this. Passengers need to understand that they have responsibilities, not just rights,” he said.
In a statement, Ibom Air announced a permanent travel ban on Comfort Emmanson and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly or violent passengers.
The incident comes just days after a separate public dispute involving fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, and an airline staff member at Lagos airport.
