AON Imposes No-Fly Life Ban On Ibom Air Passenger For Assaulting Crew Members

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has handed a lifetime flight ban to Comfort Emmanson, a female passenger accused of physically assaulting airline staff on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.

KanyiDaily recalls that Ibom Air had earlier placed its own travel restriction on Comfort Emmanson after the incident, which occurred at Lagos Airport on Sunday.

The airline explained that the trouble began when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off, leading to a violent outburst that included assaults on crew members and an alleged attempt to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

Viral videos showed her repeatedly slapping a flight attendant while security personnel tried to hold her back.

In a statement on Monday, AON spokesperson Obiora Okonkwo said Emmanson is now barred from flying with any airline under, both within Nigeria and internationally, for life.

While condemning the action of the passenger, the group said it constituted one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed in 2025.

AON also warned that anyone who exhibited such behaviour, going forward, would suffer a similar consequence.

“The incident, which Ibom Air described, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage, which led to the brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.

“This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable.

“Therefore, effective immediately, the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely. She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member, either domestically or internationally, for life.”

The group praised Ibom Air for handling the matter quickly and professionally, stressing that similar unruly behaviour are becoming too frequent.

“Such incidents have become one too many, with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace.

“It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC).

“The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.

“The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers.

“Going forward, anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequences. While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process.

“We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers, equipment, and to maintaining the highest safety standards,” it added.

This incident comes a few days after a heated incident involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde aka Kwam 1 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.