A new twist has emerged in the recent Ibom Air passenger assault incident, as an eyewitness claims the airline’s crew mishandled the situation that led to the arrest and detention of Comfort Emmanson at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The witness, identified as Tunde Ibrahim, said he was aboard the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on the same day the incident occurred. According to him, the disagreement started when a flight attendant confronted Emmanson about using her mobile phone.
“The lady said her phone was on flight mode and the crew lady became adamant until we finally landed,” Ibrahim recounted. “After landing, she resisted the lady from coming down, saying they had invited security to pick her up.”
Ibrahim alleged that the crew prevented Emmanson from deboarding, assuming she had refused to comply with instructions to switch off her phone. He claimed that the situation escalated despite pleas from other passengers.
“Many of us pleaded, but the crew members were very adamant and pushed the lady back while many of us left them arguing.
As at the time I got down from the aircraft, the lady was calm, but the crew member was treating her badly as if something was wrong between them.
I wish you all were there to see how they pushed the lady back on her seat as if she was a criminal.
If I knew this would happen, I would have waited to intervene. I condemn the way and manner they handled the situation,” Ibrahim stated.
Court Arraignment and Detention
Despite Ibrahim’s defense, Emmanson was arraigned on Monday for allegedly physically assaulting Ibom Air crew members, ground staff, and airport security personnel. She was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility in Lagos pending further court proceedings.
Conflicting Accounts
Ibrahim’s version of events contrasts sharply with Ibom Air’s official statement, which claimed that another passenger seated next to Emmanson had to take the phone from her and switch it off. The airline also maintained that her behavior after landing was disruptive and unacceptable.
While some observers argue that the crew’s actions may have been heavy-handed, others insist that no provocation justifies violent conduct toward airline staff or security officials.
