Keyamo slams leak of Ibom air passenger video, orders sanctions 

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the circulation of a video showing the indecent exposure of a disruptive passenger during an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, describing the act as “totally unacceptable” and directing that those responsible for leaking it face disciplinary action.

The passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly assaulted flight crew and ground staff during a Lagos-bound trip from Uyo on Ibom Air Flight Q153 on August 10, 2025.

In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Keyamo acknowledged that recording the passenger’s conduct was necessary for legal proceedings but said the public release of the footage was inappropriate.

“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 the public 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 ordered that any airline staff found responsible for releasing the video be identified and sanctioned. Keyamo also urged airlines to provide staff with better training in public relations and handling volatile situations.

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A joint security meeting involving key aviation agencies is scheduled for next week to improve coordination and tighten security.

Providing further details, Keyamo said the incident occurred at about 2:54 p.m. when Emmanson refused to switch off her phone during takeoff, violating International Civil Aviation Regulations.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since imposed an indefinite ban on her, covering all domestic and international flights.

“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,” he disclosed.

Emmanson was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday and remanded to Kirikiri Prison after failing to provide sureties.

The minister urged passengers with grievances to direct them to the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate rather than engaging in disruptive acts, warning that severe penalties, including lengthy flight bans and police referrals, would be applied to violators.