By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has condemned the release of a video showing an unruly Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, in a state of indecent exposure.
In a statement, Keyamo described the act as “totally unacceptable” and announced he has ordered an investigation to identify and sanction the staff member responsible for leaking the footage.
He emphasized that his ministry “will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood.”
The minister also confirmed that Emmanson has been banned indefinitely from all flights, both domestic and international, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA.
She has been arraigned in court at the Ikeja Magistrates Court, charged with criminal offenses, and remanded at Kirikiri prison after failing to meet bail conditions.
While acknowledging the passenger’s uncooperative behavior and the scuffle with ground personnel, Keyamo stated that while filming her actions for evidence was appropriate, releasing a video with indecent exposure to publicly humiliate her was not.
Keyamo further announced a series of measures to address such incidents in the future.
He has instructed airlines to enhance their staff training in public relations and de-escalation techniques. He has also called for a joint security meeting next week with relevant agencies to improve the coordination of security responses in similar situations.
The minister concluded by reminding passengers that there are established procedures for addressing grievances and urged them not to take the law into their own hands, which can lead to serious consequences.
