The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Comfort Emmanson, the female passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew members and security personnel on a flight from Uyo to Lagos. This ban prohibits her from flying with any AON member airline, domestically or internationally, effective immediately.
The decision follows a severe incident where Emmanson refused to comply with aviation safety rules by not switching off her phone before takeoff, prompting crew intervention. Upon landing in Lagos, she physically attacked a flight purser slapping her multiple times, stepping on her, tearing off her wig, and removing her glasses which she threw to the ground. She also slapped another crew member and attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon, putting lives and aircraft safety at risk. Additionally, she assaulted airport security personnel intervening in the situation.
AON described the attack as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behavior in 2025, highlighting the sustained and violent nature of the assault that endangered crew, passengers, and the aircraft itself. The operators commended Ibom Air for handling the incident professionally and endorsed the strict measures taken against Emmanson.
The ban signals a zero-tolerance policy toward violent and disruptive conduct on flights and warns that anyone exhibiting similar behavior henceforth will face comparable consequences. The AON also urged the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to tighten security procedures at airports nationwide to prevent such incidents.
Comfort Emmanson has already been charged to court and remanded in Kirikiri Prison following her arrest at Lagos airport. This case came shortly after another passenger, Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), received a six-month ban for unruly behavior.
This move by the AON aims to uphold safety standards and protect airline staff and passengers from aggressive misconduct.
