The controversy surrounding Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson has taken a new turn, as an eyewitness has come forward alleging that one of the airline’s hostesse, provoked the now-viral altercation.
The incident, which has dominated social media discussions in recent days, began when videos emerged showing Emmanson in a heated exchange with Ibom Air staff.
She was later arrested for alleged unruly behaviour on board a flight, with the airline accusing her of defying crew instructions. Public opinion, however, has been sharply divided, with some calling her conduct unacceptable and others insisting she was treated unfairly.
In a detailed written statement, the eyewitness — who said he was seated close to Emmanson — stressed that he had never met her or any of the Ibom Air crew before.
He said he felt compelled to speak out “out of a moral duty and civic responsibility” so that “everyone, whether highly placed or not, can be treated fairly and justly in all circumstances.”
According to him, the trouble began shortly after boarding when the two hostesses on the flight gave safety instructions to passengers seated by the emergency exit.
While the first hostess was described as “exceptionally polite and amiable,” the second allegedly confronted Emmanson “with an almighty huff” and ordered her to switch off her phone in a raised voice.
“She explained in a low voice that the buttons on her phone were faulty and asked for assistance,” the witness recounted. “Instead of helping her, the hostess told her, ‘Please, I don’t have time for your nonsense. Better switch off that phone immediately.’”
The witness said Emmanson revealed she could not clearly read the settings instructions and pleaded for help, but the request was declined.
A fellow passenger eventually assisted her, after which Emmanson began questioning why she had been humiliated in front of other passengers.
The situation escalated further when, according to the witness, hostess 2 told Emmanson to “keep quiet or else she would deal with her.”
Emmanson reportedly responded defiantly, prompting the hostess to walk away toward the cockpit and not return.
“Hostess 2 acted very poorly and inflamed a rather simple and small matter. And this is putting it mildly,” the witness said. “If hostess 1 had handled the situation, this would not have happened.”
While condemning the way Emmanson was addressed, the witness also acknowledged that her verbal outbursts — captured on video — were inappropriate.
“Her reactions, though founded on grave unwarranted humiliation and provocation, have no place in any sane society and should not be encouraged,” he noted.
He concluded by calling for improved staff training, stating, “Ibom Air needs to do better in training their staff to be sensitive and empathetic where necessary. Miss Emmanson never at any time refused to switch off her phone for take-off.”
Ibom Air has yet to respond to this particular testimony, but the case continues to spark national debate about customer service standards, the handling of in-flight conflicts, and the rights of airline passengers in Nigeria.
