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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, has issued a public appeal urging passengers who were aboard the Ibom Air flight involved in the recent unruly incident to come forward and provide their firsthand accounts of what actually happened.
This call for witnesses aims to ensure a thorough and fair investigation into the matter.
In a message posted on the social media platform X this morning, Achimugu stressed the critical importance of hearing from all parties involved in the incident. He emphasized that obtaining multiple perspectives is essential to achieving justice and fairness, especially in situations where conflicting narratives have emerged.
The incident in question involved Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos (flight number IAN513). She was accused of physically attacking an air hostess after being asked to comply with airline safety regulations by turning off her mobile phone prior to takeoff. The flight attendant’s insistence reportedly triggered a confrontation, leading to the altercation.
However, there have been differing views regarding the cause of the conflict. Some eyewitnesses and observers have suggested that the air hostess’s approach or behavior might have inadvertently escalated tensions, provoking Ms. Comfort’s apparently irrational response. These conflicting accounts underscore the need for a comprehensive review of the incident.
Speaking on the issue, Achimugu stated: “Any person who was a passenger on that Ibom Air Uyo-Lagos flight (IAN513) and witnessed the events that led to the fracas should, as a matter of urgency and fairness, reach out to me directly via direct message or by email at michael.achimugu@ncaa.gov.ng.
Once your identity and presence on that flight are verified, we will engage you to better understand the sequence of events from your perspective. This is vital to ensure a balanced view of the situation.
While we do not condone unruly behaviour on flights — which poses serious safety risks — it is equally important to hold all individuals accountable who may have contributed to the escalation. A transparent process will help determine the full scope of responsibility.
To supplement this, the NCAA will dispatch officers to Lagos to conduct a fact-finding mission. They will liaise with the police, aviation security personnel, and other stakeholders who were part of the response to the incident. This collaborative approach is intended to piece together an accurate timeline and identify any procedural lapses.
The lessons learned from this unfortunate event should lead to improvements and adjustments across the aviation ecosystem. This includes enhancing the training and conduct of airline staff, improving passenger awareness of safety protocols, and tightening security measures where necessary.
Incidents such as this serve as a critical test for the aviation system. Despite comprehensive regulations designed to ensure safety and order, human behavior can be unpredictable. When disruptions occur, they expose vulnerabilities within the system that must be addressed.
Ultimately, the fundamental principle remains clear: in aviation, safety is paramount. It is safety first, safety second, and safety third. Maintaining this priority is essential to protecting passengers, crew, and the integrity of air travel.”