Ibom Air management has officially denied releasing the viral video that shows a female passenger being stripped naked while being dragged off one of its planes at Lagos Airport. The airline's Group Manager of Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette, clarified in an interview that although the video was recorded on board, it was not released by Ibom Air. She explained that the plane had several people on board who were not airline employees, and anyone could have recorded and leaked the footage.
The incident occurred on August 10, 2025, after the passenger reportedly refused to switch off her electronic device in defiance of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority safety rules. Following her resistance to disembarking, the pilot-in-command called security, and the crew had to restrain her to allow security personnel to escort her off the plane.
Ibom Air expressed regret over the video's circulation, stating that they do not condone indecent exposure or the humiliating treatment shown. However, the airline defended its safety-first approach, emphasizing the importance of compliance with safety rules and the controlled nature of the airline environment.
The incident has sparked widespread public criticism and debate about the handling of unruly passengers and the balance between safety and dignity.