Alleged assault: NCAA holds meeting with Ibom Air crew, Comfort Emanson
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated an official investigation into the recent conflict involving passenger Comfort Emanson and the Ibom Air crew.
As part of this investigation, NCAA officials met in Abuja on Wednesday with Julie Edwards—who has been identified as a significant participant in the incident—along with other crew members directly affected.
This information was shared by NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu in a statement shared on his X account on Thursday.
Achimugu states, “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.”
He added that the Authority’s directorates of Aviation Security, Operations, Licensing, Training Standards, Legal, and Consumer Protection are working jointly to ensure “a proper conclusion to this investigation.”
In a separate post, he confirmed that NCAA also held a meeting with the embattled passenger, Comfort Emanson.
“NCAA has held a meeting with Comfort Emanson, the Ibom Air passenger,” Achimugu noted.
The controversy stems from a viral video showing Ibom Air officials manhandling Emanson after she allegedly attacked a flight attendant and clashed with airport staff during a flight from Uyo to Lagos, Dailyeconomy reports.
Her alleged assault led to an arraignment before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and temporary remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre before she was released.
Her freedom followed the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who directed the airline to withdraw its complaint.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to professionalism and safety in Nigeria’s aviation sector, assuring the public that the investigation will be thorough and impartial.
