By Akinwale Kasali

Following the face-off of last week between an Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson,  and the crew of the Airline over active on board,  the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has read a riot act.

The NCAA has directed that all mobile phones must be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing.

NCAA’s Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo,  said this at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, NCASC, meeting to address the challenges of unruly passengers and security breaches.

Najomo stated that a memo will be sent to all Airlines to update their protocols to include the new rule.

He warned that incidents of unruly passenger behaviours in the aviation sector could damage public trust if not properly handled.

According to the NCAA DG, “The meeting was aimed at determining and deploying immediate corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, even as he highlighted the importance of training, retraining, and continuous training on matters related to aviation security.

“Today’s engagement is not about pointing fingers or apportioning blame. No, that would not achieve the desired results. It is rather about listening, discussing and awakening us to our individual and collective responsibilities towards a safe and secure air transport sector.

“We are here also to analyse and understand the chain of failures that permitted the incidents, unify and strengthen inter-agency coordination, determine and deploy immediate corrective measures, identify ‘quick wins’ and policy gaps, reiterate the need for training and awareness on aviation security.”

In the same vein, Michael Achimugu, Director, NCAA Public Affairs and Consumer Protection said it is mandatory for all passengers on board an aircraft to obey the instructions of the pilot and cabin crew.

He maintained that while the passengers seek to enforce their rights, they should ensure that they do their responsibilities as passengers in order to ensure the safety of the flight.

He explained that uncooperative suspects are handled differently from  cooperative suspects, noting: “This is global”.

In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, even if you are cooperative, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice.”

He said: “I am happy about the recent events. I am proud of the way the NCAA handled these issues. There is not one party involved that would repeat their errors. Not KWAM 1. Not Comfort. Not the pilot or cabin crew. But, there are gaps in the system that need to be plugged as a matter of urgency.”

He, however, implored the aviation security to step up its enforcement regulations and be more stringent and consistent.

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.”