Akwa Ibom Online, akwaibomonline@gmail. com, Uyo (2026)

23/09/2025

Happy Anniversary

16/08/2025

I AM SORRY FOR MY ACTIONS!

Ms Comfort Emmanson

To my family, friends, and everyone following this matter online — thank you for your prayers and concern. I owe you a clear account of what happened and where I stand.

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, I boarded an Ibom Air flight scheduled between Uyo and Lagos. Shortly after boarding, a disagreement started over my phone use during safety procedures. I attempted to switch it to flight mode, but the exchange with a crew member became tense and, sadly, escalated.

There are versions of this story circulating that I violently attacked staff; the airline’s statements and some media reports say I assaulted a flight attendant and was later removed from the aircraft by security. Those are serious claims, and I understand why people are upset.

What I experienced

Here is what I lived through: The interaction quickly shifted from instructions to confrontation. An eyewitness who sat beside me later told the media that a crew member “threatened to deal with” me during the exchange. I felt provoked, intimidated, and singled out. That does not excuse raised voices or any contact — but it is part of what happened.

On the ground in Lagos, the situation became chaotic. I was forcibly removed and restrained. In the struggle my clothing was disheveled, leaving me exposed while being filmed. No one deserves to be treated without dignity — even in conflict.

What I acknowledged

I acknowledge that emotions ran high and that I could have handled myself better. Airplanes are safety-critical environments, and crew instructions matter.

If my words or actions contributed to disorder on board, I am sorry for that. I do not condone violence. I am cooperating fully with any fair process that seeks the truth.

What went too far

What I cannot accept is the indignity and public shaming that followed. Being forcibly exposed and filmed, with clips posted online, crossed a line. The Nigerian Bar Association publicly condemned my treatment and called for accountability; I am grateful that they recognized the dignity issues involved.

Aftermath and where things stand now

I was taken into custody and briefly remanded. On August 13, 2025, the Federal Government ordered that the case against me be withdrawn.

A lifetime “no-fly” ban was announced at first; as of today (August 15, 2025), multiple outlets report that airlines have lifted the lifetime ban following the review by authorities. I appreciate this step toward fairness.

What I’m asking for

A balanced, independent review of everything that happened — from the cabin exchange to ground handling — so lessons are learned on all sides.

Clear guidelines that protect safety and the dignity of passengers, including strict prohibitions on filming or exposing restrained individuals.

Civility going forward. I will speak with investigators in good faith. I ask the public to allow the process to work and to avoid threats or harassment toward anyone involved.
To those who stood by me

Thank you to my family, friends, legal team, and Nigerians who insisted that safety and human dignity can — and must — coexist. I’m healing and I’m hopeful. I will share more when the formal processes conclude.

13/08/2025

DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS

1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.

2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:

THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON

(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.

THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)

(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.

AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

FINAL COMMENTS

8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK)
Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

12/08/2025

𝐈𝐛𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

The management of Ibom Airlines has denied responsibility for the release of a viral video showing a passenger in a state of indecent exposure during a recent in-flight altercation.

12/08/2025

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has announced that it is ready to provide free legal services to Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson.

12/08/2025

The Ibom Air saga shows no signs of slowing, and now another troubling video has emerged, this time from Ms. Comfort, who recounts her ordeal of being barred from leaving the aircraft and then manhandled by airport security and Ibom Air crew.

If her account is true, it paints a disturbing picture of how some airlines and airport authorities handle conflict, favoring force over dialogue and intimidation over professionalism. Incidents like this chip away at public trust and raise serious questions about passenger rights and the culture of customer service in our aviation sector.

The case continues, but so does the scrutiny.

11/08/2025

IBOM AIR REACTS TO VIRAL VIDEO

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

Uyo, 11 August 2025

Incident Involving an Unruly Passenger on August 10, 2025

Ibom Air confirms that on Sunday, August 10, 2025, an incident occurred on board our Uyo–Lagos flight involving a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, whose conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of our crew, passengers, and aircraft.

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. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded 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 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.

Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment. Such behavior will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services.

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 Nigeria Police.

Safety remains our highest priority. We urge all passengers to comply with crew instructions at all times for the safety, security, and comfort of everyone on board.

Signed

Ibom Airlines Limited
August 11, 2025

11/08/2025

Another airport wahala…

08/05/2025

The world has welcomed a new Pope, succeeding Pope Francis. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, has been elected as the 267th pontiff, taking the name Leo XIV. Previously appointed by Francis to serve as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru in 2014, Prevost brings diplomatic experience to his new role. At 69, he makes history as the first American Pope.

02/05/2025

Ibom Plaza, Uyo, in 1930s, known then as Piccaddily Circus, with some colonial masters enjoying themselves.

Photo Credit By Anietie John II

06/01/2025

Akwa Ibom state born player Ukeme Akpabio🇳🇬 starts a new adventure in Portugal🇵🇹 with UD Santarém🔴 Congratulations... It’s your time to shine✨...

13/11/2024

Change of Story…

This Ikot Eyo-Edem Idim Okpot Emiekene-Nung Obong-Ikot Ntung-East West Road in Nsit ubium L.G.A.

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