Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the viral circulation of a video showing the indecent exposure of Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting airline officials during an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
Beacon News reported that, Ms. Emmanson allegedly attacked a flight attendant and had a confrontation with security personnel at the airport.
The incident led to her arraignment on Monday and subsequent remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State.
In a statement posted on his official X page, Mr. Keyamo confirmed that Ms. Emmanson was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges.
He criticised her behaviour, noting that she was remanded after failing to produce sufficient sureties in court.
However, he also strongly condemned the release of the viral footage, which captured Ms. Emmanson with her top torn and upper body exposed.
The minister revealed that he had ordered disciplinary action against Ibom Air staff responsible for leaking the video.
“While we support filming her unruly behaviour for use as evidence in prosecution, it is deplorable to release such material containing indecent exposure to the public for ridicule. That is totally unacceptable.
“We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever leaked that part of the video should be identified and appropriately sanctioned,”
Mr. Keyamo stated.
Mr. Keyamo further directed airlines to prioritise continuous training and retraining of their staff in public relations and conflict management to help prevent or quickly defuse tense situations, except when intervention is unavoidable.
He disclosed that a joint security meeting involving relevant agencies would hold next week to improve coordination in handling such incidents and similar occurrences in the aviation sector.
The minister reaffirmed that his ministry would continue to enforce all sanctions available within the sector against unruly passengers, including long-term flight bans and referrals to law enforcement agencies for further action.
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clear channels to address complaints. The NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate has consistently publicised these remedies, and there is no reason to take the law into one’s own hands, which could lead to serious consequences,” he added.
