By Roheemah Lawal
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered disciplinary action against any Ibom Air staff member responsible for leaking a video showing the indecent exposure of a female passenger involved in an onboard altercation.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Monday, Keyamo said that while recording such incidents for court evidence is acceptable, releasing footage that exposes a passenger indecently to the public is “completely unacceptable.”
The viral video showed the female passenger physically assaulting a flight attendant and later clashing with airport security personnel before being subdued.
Recall that Ibom Air had earlier imposed a travel ban on her for assaulting members of its cabin crew. She has also been charged to court and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility after failing to meet bail conditions.
Subsequently, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced a lifetime ban on the violent passenger with immediate effect. This means she will no longer be able to fly on any domestic or international route operated by AON members for life.
Keyamo noted that the scuffle with ground personnel resulted from the passenger’s uncooperative behaviour but stressed that leaking sensitive footage was inappropriate.
He directed that the staff member responsible for releasing the indecent clip be identified and sanctioned, adding that the ministry “will not tolerate the debasing of womanhood.”
The minister also instructed airlines to strengthen staff training in public relations and conflict de-escalation. He announced that a joint security meeting with relevant agencies would be convened next week to improve response strategies for similar incidents.
Keyamo reminded travellers that aggrieved passengers have formal channels such as the Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA to address complaints, warning that taking matters into one’s own hands could have serious consequences.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enforcing aviation sanctions against unruly passengers, including long-term flight bans and referrals to law enforcement agencies for further action.
