By Nigeria’s Ms Comfort Emmanson has publicly apologised for her conduct during a recent incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, while also condemning her treatment during and after the episode, which sparked national debate over passenger rights and crew conduct.
Stonix News reports that the incident occurred on Sunday, 10 August, during a flight from Uyo to Lagos.
A disagreement reportedly broke out between Ms Emmanson and cabin crew over mobile phone usage during safety procedures.
The situation escalated, resulting in her removal from the aircraft by security personnel.
In a statement titled “I Am Sorry for My Actions!”, Ms Emmanson offered a detailed account of the events, expressing regret over how the situation unfolded but strongly criticising the handling of the aftermath.
“I acknowledge that emotions ran high and that I could have handled myself better,” she wrote.
“If my words or actions contributed to disorder on board, I am sorry for that. I do not condone violence.”
However, she pushed back against claims that she had assaulted airline staff, which were circulated by the airline and repeated in several media outlets. “Those are serious claims, and I understand why people are upset,” she stated, while maintaining that the confrontation was aggravated by what she described as “provocation” and “intimidation” by crew.
Ms Emmanson said the situation worsened after the flight landed in Lagos, where she was “forcibly removed and restrained.”
She described being exposed during the scuffle and filmed while in a state of distress, calling it a “public shaming” that “crossed a line.”
“No one deserves to be treated without dignity, even in conflict,” she said, thanking the Nigerian Bar Association for publicly condemning her treatment and calling for accountability.
Following her detention, Ms Emmanson was briefly remanded before the Federal Government ordered the case against her to be withdrawn on 13 August.
An initial lifetime flight ban was later lifted after a review by aviation authorities.
She is now calling for a full, independent review of the incident, not just her actions but also the response by airline staff and ground security, and urged for clearer passenger protection guidelines that prohibit filming restrained individuals.
“I will speak with investigators in good faith. I ask the public to allow the process to work and to avoid threats or harassment toward anyone involved,” she said.
Ms Emmanson closed her statement by thanking her family, legal team, and members of the public who advocated for what she called a fairer and more dignified handling of such incidents in the future.
“I’m healing and I’m hopeful,” she wrote. “I will share more when the formal processes conclude.”
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