Ibom Air Incident: NCAA Commences Investigation, Invites Parties

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday commenced interrogation of Comfort Emmanson, Juliana Edward, and the cabin crew of Ibom Air for additional questioning regarding an incident on August 10.

The incident, which was captured in “viral clips,” showed Ms. Emmanson being “dragged” by Ibom Air staff on a flight from Uyo to Lagos.

This was after argument over switching off of telephone between Emmanson and a cabin crew before the plane take off in Uyo.

Emmanson was detained on the orders of the Court, but later got a reprieve as federal government pardoned her along with the Fuji musician, KWAM1, who had earlier caused drama at Abuja airport.

According to Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the Authority spoke with Ms. Emmanson and her colleagues on Tuesday and plans for them to appear for a “continued investigation” on Wednesday.

Achimugu also noted that the “pilot-in-command” did not call security after landing in Lagos because the issue appeared to have been “resolved before departure from Uyo.”

However, since Ms. Emmanson was the “last passenger to disembark,” it drew “further attention to the case.”

Achimugu assured the public that the NCAA would conduct a “thorough probe” to establish all the facts.

At the same meeting, Buhari Abdulfatai, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, attributed the increase in “unruly behaviour” in Nigeria’s aviation sector to a lack of discipline among travelers and “lapses in professional conduct among airport workers and crew members.”

He praised the NCAA for enforcing “regulatory standards” and encouraged other aviation agencies to help “safeguarding the industry.”