Ibom Air Incident: NCAA Meets Passenger Comfort Emmanson, Crew as Investigation Continues

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has held separate meetings with Comfort Emmanson, the passenger at the center of the widely publicized Ibom Air incident, and the airline crew involved, as part of an ongoing investigation.

The incident, which occurred on August 10, 2025, involved Emmanson allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and confronting security personnel at Lagos airport after a flight from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Video clips of the altercation quickly went viral, sparking heated debates across Nigeria over passenger conduct and crew response.

Speaking on Thursday, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu confirmed that Emmanson met with the authority in Abuja, accompanied by her lawyer. He did not provide additional details about the discussion.

Prior to this, NCAA officials had met with crew members, including Julie Edwards, to hear their accounts. Achimugu noted that multiple directorates within the NCAA—covering aviation security, operations, licensing and training standards, legal, and consumer protection—are collaborating to ensure a thorough and fair conclusion to the investigation.

“Yesterday in Abuja, the NCAA team met with Julie Edwards and other members of the crew involved in the Comfort Emmanson incident as part of investigations. Later today, Comfort Emmanson, the passenger, met with the Authority, accompanied by her lawyer,” Achimugu posted on X.

Following the airport altercation, Emmanson was arrested, arraigned in a Lagos court, and remanded in prison. She was subsequently released, with all charges dropped.

The incident has generated nationwide discussion, with opinions divided between those condemning Emmanson’s aggressive behavior and others questioning the actions of the airline crew, particularly a flight attendant who was seen preventing the passenger from disembarking.

The NCAA continues its investigation, aiming to draw a comprehensive conclusion that addresses both passenger rights and airline safety protocols.