NCAA Calls for Passenger Statements on Ibom Air Uyo-Lagos Flight Incident

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially appealed to passengers aboard the Ibom Air Flight IAN513 from Uyo to Lagos during last Sunday’s incident to provide firsthand accounts that could assist in its ongoing investigation.

In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, urged witnesses to come forward. Passengers can contact him directly via email at michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng or through direct message on social media.

“Once verified that you were actually a passenger on that flight, we can discuss and try to understand other perspectives to this issue,” Achimugu stated.

He emphasized that while unruly passenger behaviour will not be excused, the NCAA aims to ensure that all parties involved are held accountable. This includes passengers, airline crew, security officials, and other relevant stakeholders.

NCAA to Conduct On-Ground Fact-Finding

According to Achimugu, NCAA officers in Lagos will conduct a fact-finding mission, collaborating with airport police and other security agencies. This is to piece together an accurate account of what transpired onboard the Ibom Air aircraft prior to departure from Uyo’s Victor Attah International Airport.

“This is a test for the system. Incidents like these reveal operational gaps despite existing regulations, enabling us to identify loopholes and improve aviation safety procedures,” Achimugu noted.

Incident Summary: How the Ibom Air Disruption Started

The altercation reportedly began shortly before take-off when a passenger, identified as Comfort Emmanson, allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone in accordance with standard aviation safety procedures.

Witness videos circulating online show Emmanson confronting flight attendants and later clashing with airport security personnel upon arrival in Lagos.

Ibom Air confirmed that her actions posed a serious safety threat to both passengers and crew, prompting immediate intervention. In response, the airline imposed a permanent travel ban on her, preventing her from boarding any future flights with the carrier.

Legal Consequences

Following the incident, Comfort Emmanson was arraigned in court on Monday and has since been remanded at Kirikri Correctional Center in Lagos pending further hearings.

This swift legal action underscores the seriousness of unruly passenger offences, which can result in fines, imprisonment, or permanent blacklisting from airlines under Nigerian aviation law.

The NCAA’s Safety Commitment

The NCAA reiterated its “safety first, safety second, safety third” mantra, noting that the ultimate goal of this inquiry is to strengthen aviation operations and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The authority is encouraging witness cooperation to ensure a transparent and fair process. Passengers and stakeholders are reminded that reporting incidents through official channels helps maintain high safety standards in Nigerian air travel.

For more information on flight safety guidelines, visit the NCAA official website or follow updates from Ibom Air.

Punch

Related Posts: