…while recording the passenger’s behaviour was necessary, releasing footage containing indecent exposure to the public was deplorable – Aviation Minister
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the public release of a video showing the indecent exposure of a disruptive passenger during an Ibom Air incident, describing it as “totally unacceptable” and ordering disciplinary action against those responsible.
The passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly assaulted both flight crew and ground staff during Ibom Air Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.
According to officials, the disturbance began at about 2:54 p.m. after she refused to switch off her phone during takeoff, in violation of International Civil Aviation Regulations.
In a statement on Monday via his official X account, Keyamo said while recording the passenger’s behaviour was necessary for prosecution, releasing footage containing indecent exposure to the public was deplorable.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood,” the minister said.
He directed that the staff member who leaked the footage be identified and sanctioned. Keyamo also instructed airlines to intensify staff training in public relations and crisis handling, announcing that a joint security meeting with relevant agencies would be held next week to strengthen aviation security coordination.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since imposed an indefinite ban on Emmanson, covering both local and international flights. She was arraigned on Monday before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and remanded at Kirikiri Prison after failing to provide sureties.
“Consequently, in the last few hours, I have been speaking with the Commissioner of Police of the Airport Police Command, the DG of the NCAA and his team, the MD of FAAN and her team, the COO of Ibom Air and his team about the incident,” Keyamo disclosed.
He urged passengers with complaints to approach the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate rather than resort to disruptive behaviour, warning that erring passengers would face flight bans and potential criminal prosecution.
“We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in aviation on any such erring passengers, that is lengthy flight bans and report the matters to other law enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers,” he concluded.
