The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Comfort Emmanson, a passenger who allegedly assaulted crew members and security personnel on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
The AON, in a statement by its spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, on Monday, said the ban on Emmanson from flying with any AON member, either domestically or internationally, for life, took immediate effect.
The incident occurred on August 10, 2025, when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions from the crew, leading to a physical altercation.
The AON condemned Emmanson’s actions, saying that they constituted one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed in 2025.
The AON commended Ibom Air for its swift and professional handling of the incident and emphasised its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers.
The group called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.
This incident comes days after a Fuji artiste, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, was banned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for six months over his unruly behavior at the Abuja airport last Tuesday.
The AON’s decision to impose a lifetime ban on Emmanson sent a strong message about the importance of maintaining safety and security standards in the aviation industry.
The group’s stance is expected to deter other passengers from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about the need for stricter security measures at airports and the importance of holding passengers accountable for their actions.
As the aviation industry continues to grow, it is essential for airlines, regulatory bodies, and security agencies to work together to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew members.
In light of this incident, it is crucial for passengers to understand the importance of respecting airline crew members and following safety instructions.
The AON’s zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passengers is a step in the right direction, and it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the behavior of passengers in the future.
