Ibom Airlines Limited has banned a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, after she was seen in a viral video repeatedly slapping a flight Purser on a flight from Uyo to Lagos.
The airline confirmed in a statement on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday after the passenger was allegedly told to switch off her phone before take-off.
Read Also: Ibom Air Passenger Hits Air Hostess, Gets Violent With Airport Officials [VIDEO]
The statement read, “Shortly before take-off from Uyo, Ms. Emmanson was instructed in line with standard aviation safety procedures to switch off her mobile phone. She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.
“This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser, who had earlier instructed her. She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw it to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her. She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too.”
The airline also maintained that the passenger attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act they described as “an intention to damage and ground the aircraft”.
“By this time, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security.
Before security could arrive, the Purser, as seen on the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived.
“The arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at the security personnel. She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault Ibom Air security personnel and even slapped the ground supervisor.
“The passenger was removed from the ramp and taken into custody by FAAN security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation,” Ibom Air stressed.
Ibom Air has placed a permanent travel restriction on the passenger, Comfort Emmanson, meaning she will no longer be allowed to fly on any of the airline’s aircraft.
The airline has also submitted a formal report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Ibom Air commended its crew members and the security personnel for handling the situation with decorum.
“We commend the bravery and professionalism of our crew in handling this situation under extremely challenging circumstances, as well as the swift support from airport security and the Nigerian Police.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
To Publish Articles, News, Place Advert, Contact Informant Online With Email Link Below: informantonline.com.ng@gmail.com
