The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the release of a video showing the indecent exposure of an unruly passenger during an Ibom Air incident, calling it “totally unacceptable” and ordering sanctions against the staff responsible.
The passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly assaulted flight crew and ground staff during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August 2025.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Keyamo said that while filming her behaviour was necessary for prosecution, the public release of the portion showing indecent exposure was inappropriate.
“Whilst we support filming her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence for prosecution, it is deplorable to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her,” Keyamo stated. “That is totally unacceptable. We will not tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that the staff member who released that part of the video should be identified and sanctioned.”
The minister instructed airlines to provide regular training in public relations and in handling volatile situations. He also announced a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week to improve aviation security coordination.
Keyamo explained that the incident occurred at about 2:54 p.m. on Ibom Air Flight Q153 when the passenger refused to switch off her phone during take-off, breaching International Civil Aviation Regulations. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has since imposed an indefinite ban on her, covering both domestic and international flights.
He revealed that he had spoken with the Airport Police Commissioner, the Director-General of the NCAA, the Managing Director of FAAN, and senior officials from Ibom Air about the matter.
On Monday, Emmanson was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and remanded at Kirikiri Prison after failing to provide sureties.
Keyamo urged passengers with grievances to report them to the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate rather than engage in disruptive behaviour, warning that offenders would face lengthy flight bans and possible criminal prosecution.