Ibom Air saga: FAAN reviews protocols around prosecuting unruly passengers

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is reviewing its protocols for restraining and prosecuting passengers, in line with the Airport Approved Security Programme and relevant laws.

The move follows the recent incident involving Comfort Bob Emmanson, who was seen in a viral video assaulting a cabin crew member of Ibom Air, after an altercation with airline staff before she was taken away.

In a statement, FAAN said it will henceforth not hesitate to impose sanctions as stipulated in ICAO Annex 17, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations — particularly Part 17 — and the FAAN Bye Laws against any form of disruptive or threatening behaviour within airport premises.

The authority expressed concern over the increasing frequency of unruly conduct by some passengers, warning that such behaviour is unacceptable in civil aviation and will not be tolerated.

“Passengers are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the Passengers’ Rights and Responsibilities and Airlines’ Obligations, as published by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Bye Laws,” the statement read.

On the Ibom Air incident, FAAN noted that while the situation was initially managed by security personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2 (MM2), its Aviation Security (AVSEC) team later intervened, took the individual into custody, and handed her over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

The authority again urged passengers to conduct themselves in a civil and orderly manner, and to comply with all established airport and airline regulations.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.