The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has summoned a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and an Ibom Air cabin crew member, Juliana Edward, over a reported clash during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10.
This was made known by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, during a question-and-answer session at the Emergency National Civil Aviation Security Committee and Stakeholders Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Achimugu provided an update on the investigation, stating, “I have spoken with Ms. Emmanson this morning. We are also inviting the Ibom Air cabin crew for continued investigation on the incident. They will be here tomorrow.”
He explained that the pilot of the aircraft did not call in security operatives when the plane landed in Lagos because the issue appeared to have been settled while onboard. However, Emmanson was the last to leave the aircraft after visiting the restroom when other passengers had already disembarked.
Assuring the public that the matter would not be swept aside, Achimugu added that the NCAA is committed to full transparency and to establishing all the facts of the case.
Meanwhile, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, linked the rise in such incidents to a wider problem of indiscipline among air passengers, airport workers, and even flight crew.
He addressed the broader issue, saying, “There is a clear need for discipline across board. We cannot allow bad conduct to put safety and security at risk.”
The senator commended the NCAA for its actions and urged other aviation agencies to support the regulator in enforcing order and professionalism in the industry.
