The detention of Ibom Air female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting an Ibom Air cabin crew member and security officers during a Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday has sparked public outrage and claims of selective justice.
Viral clips showed Emmanson slapping and kicking airline and airport staff, including a female air hostess, after she allegedly ignored repeated instructions to switch off her phone before departure.
In one of the videos, security operatives were seen dragging her off the aircraft.
In a statement, Ibom Air alleged that the passenger nearly attempted to use a fire extinguisher from the plane to attack staff before being restrained.
The airline stated that it had reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and had imposed a permanent flight ban on Emmanson.
“Ibom Air has since submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and placed a travel restriction on Ms Emmanson, who will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft,” the airline noted.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, confirmed in a Monday statement that Emmanson had been charged to court and remanded.
“All the more reason the flying public should be more careful—the unruly passenger on the Uyo–Lagos-bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court, and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” Moshood posted via his verified X account, @TundeMoshoody.
The development has fuelled widespread online criticism, with many Nigerians accusing the airline and authorities of applying double standards. Comparisons were drawn to Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), who allegedly disrupted a ValueJet flight in Abuja last week without facing similar consequences.
On X.com, user @EmmyPromise71 wrote, “The level of selective punishment in this country is overwhelming, my God! Some animals are more equal than others. Nigeria is my country.”
Another, @Ronaldnziroma, said, “The Ibom Air girl did not block or impede an aeroplane; she just fought an air hostess, but she is in prison. KWAM 1 assaulted an air hostess and the pilot, blocked and impeded the plane, which is terrorism, and even did a show over the weekend, and he is at home chilling.”
Similarly, @yongmayor posted, “KWAM 1 intended to stop an aircraft on the runway, poured alcohol on a pilot, yet got away with just an apology. KWAM 2 (the female passenger) refused to turn off her mobile devices, harassed the air hostess, and got banned from flying for life. Nigerian laws are only written for the poor.”
Media aide Paul Ibe, @Omolakimi, also commented, “The assault of Ibom Air crew and airport security officials on Sunday by Ms Comfort Emmanson is the reason why we need to be deliberate about nipping bad behaviour in the bud.
“There’s a temptation to hail the airport security officials for acting swiftly and removing the unruly passenger from the aircraft and the tarmac.
“But the question arises: Why was KWAM 1 also not bundled out of the tarmac in the same manner when he, in a hostage-taking manner, obstructed ValueJet Airline operations in Abuja last week? Maybe it was because Comfort is not a friend of the president.
“This is the reason why the authorities should have made an example of KWAM 1 to avert copycats like Passenger Comfort from breeding a KWAM 2 scenario.
“The question is, when will KWAM 1 be arraigned in court along with Comfort? The world, especially the international aviation body, is watching.”
Similar calls for fairness spread on Facebook, where users demanded identical treatment for both Emmanson and KWAM 1.
Leading the reactions, Simeon Owomorinle posted, “If this one could be remanded in prison, (what about K1)?”
Oma Kantaga added, “When K1 did his thing, it was a rich man’s thing. Poor man pikin go copywrite come fail exam.”
Sanni Adeyemi remarked, “Only God knows what she was coming to Lagos for. She didn’t throw tantrums where she left from. On landing in Lagos, she began to misbehave.”
Also weighing in, Toc Emmar wrote, “Let them do the same to K1 and Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole started Nigeria on a path of selective justice.”
As public demand for equal justice intensified, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reminded all travellers to comply with aviation rules and regulations.
SEE MORE RELATED TOPICS:
