The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has shed light on the dramatic incident involving Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmason, whose unruly behaviour led to her forceful removal from an aircraft.

Speaking with Daily Post, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, explained that Emmason’s troubles began when she refused to switch off her phone before takeoff. Her refusal reportedly angered fellow passengers, with one even grabbing the phone to turn it off.

Throughout the flight, she allegedly continued acting disruptively—making offensive gestures to other passengers and crew members. Upon landing in Lagos, most passengers disembarked, but Emmason remained onboard.

Then came the breaking point—she reportedly approached a flight attendant and slapped her. When security was called, she resisted, blocked the exit, and at one point allegedly tried to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

“Bringing such a person out of a small aircraft wasn’t going to be tidy,” Achimugu said, stressing that her clothes were torn during the struggle because she was actively fighting, not because security intended to humiliate her. Even after being removed, she allegedly continued to resist inside the airport bus.

Addressing comparisons to other incidents—like Fuji singer K1 De Ultimate’s airport altercation—Achimugu clarified that the NCAA had no role in prosecuting Emmason, as the matter is already before the court.

On preventing such incidents, he admitted that while the NCAA educates passengers regularly, human behaviour can be unpredictable. He emphasised that there are strict consequences for unruly conduct, including fines, imprisonment, or being placed on a no-fly list.

His advice to travellers was simple: “The laws are for your safety. If the crew says switch off your phone, just do it—it’s not up for debate.”