17th August 2025, NewsOrient, News, Law And Society, Governance And Development, Business And Economy, Lifestyle

Ms Comfort Emmanson, the lady accused of being unruly in the recent clash with Ibom Air crew, has stated the first part of her own side of the story in the controversial clash.

While apologising for her conduct at the beginning of the incident, Ms Comfort Emmanson stated that passengers in Nigeria’s aviation sector deserve better treatment and respect.

In a statement, Emmanson admitted she could have handled herself better during the August 10 incident on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos as she said: “Airplanes are safety-critical environments, and crew instructions matter. If my words or actions contributed to disorder on board, I am sorry for that. I do not condone violence. I am cooperating fully with any fair process that seeks the truth,” she said.

Earlier reports said the clash started over Ms Emmanson’s use of a mobile phone during take-off procedures, contrary to security rules onboard.

But while the airline alleged that she also assaulted a crew member and disrupted the flight, Emmanson said she was “unfairly provoked and intimidated.”

She recounted how an eyewitness sitting beside her later confirmed that one crew member allegedly threatened to “deal with” her during the heated exchange.

“I felt provoked, intimidated, and singled out. That does not excuse raised voices or any contact, but it is part of what happened,” she said in the statement.

NewsOrient reports that “the situation worsened after landing when Ms Comfort Emmanson was forcefully removed from the aircraft on the full glare of live camera broadcast to the world.

Commenting on how she was treated, Ms Emmanson said she was pushed by many, later held while her clothes were disheveled in the process, leaving her exposed while being filmed.

“In the struggle, my clothing was disheveled, leaving me exposed while being filmed. No one deserves to be treated without dignity, even in conflict,” she said.

Her account aligns with concerns earlier raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which condemned her treatment, particularly the filming and exposure, describing it as a violation of her dignity.

NewsOrient reports that after the disgraceful treatment, Emmanson was remanded at Kirikiri Prison but released on August 13 when the Federal Government withdrew the case against her.

Initially, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from flying with Nigerian carriers. That sanction has since been lifted following a government-led review.

She said: “A lifetime ‘no-fly’ ban was announced at first; as of today, multiple outlets report that airlines have lifted the lifetime ban following the review by authorities. I appreciate this step toward fairness,” she said.

While apologising, she called for lessons to be learned from the saga, demanding clearer rules that balance aviation safety with passenger dignity.

“What I cannot accept is the indignity and public shaming that followed… I’m asking for clear guidelines that protect safety and the dignity of passengers, including strict prohibitions on filming or exposing restrained individuals,” she wrote.

She urged civility from both passengers and crew moving forward and promised to cooperate fully with investigators.

“I will speak with investigators in good faith. I ask the public to allow the process to work and to avoid threats or harassment toward anyone involved,” she said.

Emmanson also thanked her supporters, including family, friends, lawyers, and Nigerians who, in her words, “insisted that safety and human dignity can — and must — coexist.”

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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