Minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo has expressed outrage over the circulation of a viral video showing the indecent exposure of Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting airline officials on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
QEDNG earlier reported that Ms Emmanson attacked a flight attendant and clashed with security operatives at the airport before being arraigned on Monday at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges.
She was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to provide adequate sureties.
In a statement on his X page, Mr Keyamo confirmed her arraignment and condemned her actions.
However, he criticised the release of footage showing her torn crop top and exposed upper body, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
“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,” the minister said.
He added, “We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever released that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.”
The minister also ordered airlines to prioritise continuous training in public relations and handling volatile situations and announced a joint security meeting next week to improve coordination between relevant agencies.
Keyamo noted that sanctions for unruly passengers could include lengthy flight bans and reports to law enforcement, but stressed that aggrieved travellers should use official complaint channels through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The incident occurred on Sunday after Emmanson refused to switch off her phone during flight preparations.
Ibom Air said she waited until other passengers had disembarked before confronting the Purser, assaulted two crew members, attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon and resisted disembarkation, prompting a security call.
During her removal from the aircraft, her shirt was torn, leaving her partially nude.
Ibom Air has denied releasing the footage, with its group manager for marketing and communications, Aniekan Essienette, saying, “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. We do not condone such indecent exposure.”
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has since announced a lifetime ban on Emmanson, describing the clash as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour this year.
The incident has drawn widespread public reaction, with some Nigerians criticising the passenger’s conduct while others condemned the manner of her removal and the leak of the video.
