Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that it will meet with Ibom Air and eyewitnesses to review the circumstances surrounding a recent incident aboard one of the airline’s flights.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident, which occurred on a flight from Uyo to Lagos, involved a female passenger identified as Comfort Emmanson, who assaulted a flight attendant and confronted airport security officials.
According to Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, a passenger seated next to Emmanson has come forward and provided a detailed account of what transpired before the aircraft’s departure.
“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off,” Achimugu said.
The NCAA has issued a Letter of Investigation (LOI) to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and eyewitnesses to a meeting.
Achimugu assured that the authority will uncover the full details of the incident and ensure that everyone responsible is held accountable.
“We will continue to protect the rights of all stakeholders in this industry,” Achimugu said.
“One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier announced that Emmanson would be released this week, noting that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime ban placed on her. However, the NCAA’s investigation will aim to identify gaps in the system and address them.
