NCAA Summons Ibom Air Cabin Crew, Passenger over In-flight Incident
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has invited both an Ibom Air cabin crew member, Juliana Edward, and the passenger at the centre of controversy, Comfort Emmanson, for further investigations into a recent in-flight incident that has drawn national attention.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, disclosed this on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session at the Emergency National Civil Aviation Security Committee and Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja.
NCAA Moves to Uncover Facts
Achimugu explained that the regulatory authority has taken the matter seriously and is determined to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident. He confirmed that he personally spoke with the passenger earlier in the day.
“I have spoken with Ms. Emmanson this morning. We are also inviting the Ibom Air cabin crew for continued investigation on the incident. They will be here tomorrow,” he said.
He, however, clarified that contrary to some reports, the pilot of the flight did not request security intervention upon landing in Lagos since the issue appeared to have been resolved while airborne. Achimugu further revealed that Emmanson was the last passenger to disembark after briefly using the restroom post-landing.
Aviation Industry Concerns
The development has stirred concerns within the aviation sector, particularly over the growing trend of mid-air disputes and disciplinary issues involving both passengers and crew. Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, weighed in on the matter during the Abuja meeting, noting that the rise in such incidents reflects a broader decline in discipline across the sector.
According to him, “We are seeing more and more cases of misconduct, not just from passengers but also among airport staff and even crew members. It points to a deeper problem of indiscipline in the system that requires urgent attention.”
NCAA Issues New Safety Directive
In a related move aimed at tightening aviation safety, the NCAA has issued a new directive mandating that all mobile phones must be completely switched off during take-off and landing. The fresh instruction comes amid concerns that non-compliance with safety protocols by passengers poses serious risks to air travel.
This follows the controversy triggered by Emmanson’s actions, which sparked debates across the aviation community and social media about passenger behaviour, crew management, and adherence to safety regulations.
Looking Ahead
The NCAA assured stakeholders that investigations into the Ibom Air incident will be thorough, transparent, and conclusive, with the outcome expected to guide future policy decisions on flight safety and passenger management.
For now, all eyes remain on the regulatory authority as both Emmanson and the cabin crew member face questioning in Abuja, a step expected to shed more light on what truly transpired during the flight.
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