Ibom Air has denied responsibility for releasing a viral video showing a female passenger being dragged off one of its flights with her shirt torn, leaving her exposed.
The group manager for marketing and communications, Aniekan Essienette, told TVC News on Monday that while the incident was recorded onboard the aircraft, the footage did not come from the airline’s staff.
“The video was recorded on the plane, but there were several people on board who were not Ibom Air employees. Anyone could have taken it,” she said.
“I can tell you categorically that Ibom Air did not release the video. We do not condone such indecent exposure, and it is unfortunate that the video has gone viral.”
The incident occurred on Sunday after the passenger, Comfort Emmanson, refused to switch off her mobile phone despite multiple instructions in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) safety rules.
According to the airline, Ms Emmanson waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser who had earlier instructed her.
She assaulted two crew members, attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon and resisted disembarkation, prompting the pilot to call in security.
Airport security and Ibom Air staff eventually dragged her off the plane, during which her crop shirt was torn, leaving her partially nude.
The incident has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians condemning both the passenger’s behaviour and the manner of her removal.
On Monday, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced a lifetime ban on Emmanson from flying with any member airline, describing the clash as “one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.”
AON linked the altercation to other recent airport incidents, including those involving Fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate and Senator Adams Oshiomhole and called for tighter aviation security measures.
Ibom Air says it remains committed to safety and customer service, but has yet to confirm if it will investigate the source of the leaked footage.
