Panicky management of Ibom Air has dissociated itself from the release of an indecent video showing a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, dragged off one of its planes and stripped naked in the process.
This followed the Federal Government’s order for arrest of the airline officials for the incident.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had on Monday directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible, describing the act as unacceptable.
While reacting, Aniekan Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, said the airline was not behind the video’s circulation.
“The video was recorded on the plane, but there were several people on board who were not Ibom Air employees. Anyone could have taken it,” she told TVC News.
She added: “I can tell you categorically that Ibom Air did not release the video. We do not condone such indecent exposure, and it is unfortunate that the video has gone viral.”
The incident took place on Sunday, August 10 after the passenger allegedly refused to switch off her electronic device, in violation of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations.
According to Essienette, the pilot-in-command called security when the passenger refused to disembark, prompting the crew to restrain her for safe removal.
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“Our crew had to restrain her so security could escort her off the plane,” she explained.
However, the circulation of video showing the passenger’s sensitive body parts has sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians condemning the passenger’s treatment as humiliating and degrading.
Amid the backlash, Essienette stressed that Ibom Air remained committed to customer service and passenger safety.
“Ibom Air values our customers and prides itself on reliability and excellent service. We remain committed to these principles,” she said, urging passengers to follow aviation rules.
“Most people follow the rule to switch off devices. The airline environment is controlled, and safety must come first,” she noted.
Reports said that Ms Emmasson was arraigned on Monday and remanded in Kirikiri prison for her conduct during the row at Lagos airport. [Wirh add reports by Tribune]
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