The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered disciplinary action against any Ibom Air employee responsible for leaking a video that revealed the indecent exposure of a female passenger involved in an onboard altercation.
In a statement on Monday, Keyamo said that while recording the incident for legal purposes was justified, making footage containing indecent exposure public was “totally unacceptable.”
“We also note the scuffle that took place between the unruly passenger and ground personnel before she was eventually subdued. This was because of her uncooperative attitude,” the minister said.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is DEPLORABLE is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to us.
“We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever RELEASED that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.”
The female passenger, who had earlier assaulted cabin crew members, has been charged in court and remanded in Kirikiri correctional facility after failing to provide sufficient sureties.
Keyamo calls for airlines staff training
Keyamo also urged airlines to enhance staff training in public relations and conflict de-escalation and said a joint security meeting of relevant agencies would be held next week to improve coordination in handling such incidents.
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down remedies to address grievances,” he said. “The Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has consistently advertised these remedies and there is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences.”
The minister reaffirmed that the aviation sector would continue enforcing strict penalties against unruly passengers, including extended flight bans, while referring cases to law enforcement agencies for further action.
