The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is appealing to passengers on the Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight (IAN513) involved in last Sunday’s incident to share firsthand accounts that could support its ongoing investigation.
In a message posted on X on Tuesday, the 12th of August, 2025, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, asked witnesses to reach out via direct message or email at michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng.
“Once verified that you were actually a passenger on that flight, we can discuss and try to understand other perspectives to this issue.
“In the interest of justice and fairness, it is necessary to hear both sides of the story,” he stated.
Achimugu noted that the agency would not condone the disorderly conduct witnessed on board but was equally committed to ensuring that “every other person who was culpable down the line is held accountable.”
He revealed that NCAA officials in Lagos would meet with the police and other security agencies who handled the matter as part of a fact-finding exercise.
“One hopes that lessons are learned from all of these events and that necessary adjustments and improvements are implemented by all stakeholders, passengers, airline staff, aviation security, etc.,” Achimugu added.
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Describing the situation as “a test for the system,” he explained that incidents like this highlight operational gaps, even with strong regulations in place, and give authorities an opportunity to “pluck loopholes” and enhance safety processes.
“At the end of it all, the message remains the same, in aviation, it is safety first, safety second, and safety third,” he stressed.
Clips widely shared on social media captured passenger Comfort Emmanson confronting Ibom Air crew members mid-flight and clashing with airport security officials after landing.
According to the airline, the altercation began before take-off in Uyo when she refused to comply with safety rules requiring passengers to turn off mobile phones. The carrier said her actions endangered the crew, passengers, and the aircraft.
Ibom Air has since banned her from boarding any of its flights.
She was arraigned on Monday, the 11th of August, 2025, and remanded at the Kirikri Correctional Center in Lagos.