Ibom Air has confirmed that a passenger who allegedly assaulted members of its flight crew during a scheduled flight has been formally charged to court and remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility in Lagos.
The incident occurred on August 7, 2025, aboard Flight QI221 from Lagos to Abuja, when the passenger, identified as Mr. Emmanuel Okon, reportedly became unruly and physically aggressive toward cabin crew members during pre-departure procedures. Despite repeated efforts by the crew to de-escalate the situation, Mr. Okon allegedly struck a flight attendant and disrupted operations, prompting the airline to delay the flight and involve airport security.
Following his arrest, the case was brought before the Magistrate Court in Ikeja on August 10, where Mr. Okon was charged with assault, endangering public safety, and interference with aviation operations. The presiding magistrate ordered his remand at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison pending further hearings.
Ibom Air’s Statement: “We have zero tolerance for any form of violence or aggression toward our staff or passengers,” said Aniekan Essienette, Group Manager of Marketing and Communication at Ibom Air. “Our crew acted professionally and in accordance with safety protocols. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also launched an investigation into the incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and safety aboard commercial flights.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians calling for stricter penalties for in-flight misconduct. Aviation experts warn that such behavior poses serious risks to crew and passengers and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s growing air travel sector.