The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a formal investigation into the recent clash between a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and members of the Ibom Air cabin crew.
As part of the process, NCAA officials held a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with Julie Edwards—one of the crew members accused of orchestrating the incident—as well as other staff of the airline who were directly involved.
The NCAA’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
“Yesterday in Abuja, the NCAA team met with Julie Edwards and other members of the crew involved in the Comfort Emanson incident as part of investigations into that event.
NCAA assures poper investigation on Emmanson’s case
The NCAA’s directorates of Aviation Security, Operations, Licensing, and Training Standards, Legal, and Consumer Protection are collaborating to ensure a proper conclusion to this investigation,” Achimugu stated.
He also confirmed that Emanson was scheduled to appear before the Authority later on Thursday, accompanied by her lawyer.
The controversy surrounding Emanson and Ibom Air had gained widespread attention after a video surfaced showing airline staff manhandling her during a Lagos-bound flight from Uyo. Reports alleged that she attacked a flight attendant and resisted airport officials, which led to her arraignment before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and subsequent remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Her relea.se came only after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, instructed Ibom Air to drop its complaint.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has reiterated its resolve to maintain professionalism and safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector, assuring that the ongoing review will be impartial and thorough.
