Ibom Air Fracas: Rights Group Calls for Investigation into Inhumane Treatment
A civil society-cum-human rights organisation in Nigeria, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has condemned the inhumane treatment meted out to Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a female passenger onboard an Ibom Airline flight from Uyo to Lagos, by officials of the Airline, calling on the Nigerian State to carry out a detailed investigation into the incident.
According to the Rights Group, such an investigation should include the recording of the CCTV cameras installed in the aeroplane.
The Centre made its position known through a statement issued by its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital.
The CHRAN further condemned the lifetime ban placed on Emmanson by both Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), calling it a hasty decision and urging a reversal of the ban pending the outcome of a thorough investigation into the incident.
The group called on relevant federal authorities, including the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to conduct a detailed investigation where Ibom Air and Emmanson will be allowed to state their sides of the story with eyewitnesses who were onboard the said flight called to testify.
The CHRAN condemned the way and manner that Ms. Emmanson was bundled out of the flight, dehumanised, stripped naked, videotaped and the video circulated online, exposing her private parts in the viral video to the world in gross violation of her fundamental rights to privacy and dignity.
The Rights Group also queried the knee-jerk proceedings which led to the remand of Ms Emmanson in the Kirikiri Prison shortly after the incident.
The CHRAN expressed outrage and disappointment in the handling of the incident by officials of Ibom Airline, surmising that the Airline’s officials exhibited a want of professionalism in handling a mild incident, leading to its escalation.
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The CHRAN noted that while it appreciates the Airline’s decision to get Ms. Emmanson out of the aeroplane, it is sanguine that had the Airline’s officials been more professional and civil in their response to the situation, the passenger could have been contained and arrested without fracas within the airport premises upon disembarkation. The Rights Group noted, from the viral video, that the incident escalated when the Airline’s officials prevented Ms Emmanson from disembarking from the aeroplane.
The Rights Group stated, for the avoidance of doubt, that while it condemns the alleged unruly behaviour of Ms. Emmanson, it expects a high level of professionalism and decency from staff members of the Airline.
