Keyamo Slams Release of Indecent Video of Unruly Passenger, Orders Disciplinary Action

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has strongly condemned the public release of a video showing the indecent exposure of an unruly passenger during an incident on an Ibom Airline flight, calling it “totally unacceptable” and directing that those responsible face sanctions.

The passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly assaulted flight crew and ground staff on August 10, 2025, during a trip from Uyo to Lagos aboard Ibom Airline Flight Q153.

In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Keyamo acknowledged that recording her behaviour was necessary for legal action but stressed that making the footage public was inappropriate.

“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood,” Keyamo stated.

He further directed, “I have therefore directed that whoever released that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.”

Keyamo also instructed airlines to improve staff training in public relations and in managing volatile situations. He announced that a joint security meeting involving relevant agencies will take place next week to enhance coordination in aviation security.

Providing more details on the incident, the minister explained that it occurred at about 2:54 p.m. after the passenger refused to switch off her phone during takeoff, violating International Civil Aviation Regulations. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since imposed an indefinite ban on her, covering both domestic and international flights.

“Consequently, in the last few hours, I have been speaking with the Commissioner of Police of the Airport Police Command, the DG of the NCAA and his team, the MD of FAAN and her team, the COO of Ibom Air and his team about the incident,” Keyamo added.

Miss Emmanson was arraigned on Monday before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and remanded to Kirikiri Prison after failing to provide sureties.

Keyamo urged air passengers with complaints to approach the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate instead of engaging in disruptive acts, warning that violations would attract severe penalties.

“We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in Aviation on any such erring passengers, that is lengthy flight bans and report the matters to other law enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers,” he concluded.