Nigerians have berated Ibom Air for allegedly exposing the nakedness of its passenger Comfort Emmanson, who was arrested, charged, and held in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for attacking airline staff.
On August 10, during a trip from Uyo to Lagos, Emmanson allegedly refused to turn off her phone as instructed by the cabin crew, a normal aviation safety precaution.
The scenario worsened when another passenger apparently turned off the device, causing her to become enraged.
She was accused of assaulting a staff member and attempting to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon, activities that the airline regarded as potentially jeopardising the plane.
In reaction, Ibom Air banned Emmanson indefinitely, and Nigerian Airline Operators placed her on a lifetime no-fly list.
She was then arrested by airport security, taken to the police, charged in court, and remanded in prison.
Videos of the handling of the passenger by airline staff have since gone viral, with many condemning Ibom Air for recording and allegedly leaking Emmanson’s nudity online.
The clips showed her shirt turned by Ibom Air staff while she was being forced to alight the plane.
In the process, her breast were exposed to the public scrutiny of onlookers. A development that has attracted widespread condemnation by Nigerians.
Reacting to the videos, Nigerian Journalist Oseni Rufai called for the removal of the woman’s naked video from the internet.
”Pls take off the naked picture of that woman. It’s not fair,” he wrote on his X page.
Aisha Yesufu faults Ibom Air for exposing Comfort Emmanson’s breast
Keyamo condemns indecent exposure of Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Airline staff
For another X user identified as Ikemba Anaocha, he vowed to boycott the airline over the “dehumanizing” treatment Emmanson received in the hands of the airline staff.
”I won’t fly #IbomAir again. The airline could remove the passenger without dehumanising her. No matter the offence, exposing the girl’s nudity violates her. In a rational society, the airline would face severe consequences,” he said.
Sharing similar sentiment, Emerald Bliss said, ”If that is how Ibom air can handle a situation by stripping a woman naked who didn’t carry any weapon then I will do well to avoid Ibom air because it’s because of switching off phone they used to strip her naked.”
For Bashiru Akambi, he advised, ”If I was that girl, suing them would be my next move. That’s sexual harassment. That has caused her so much damage. The airline should have females remove her, the airline should have trained staffs, who should be aware of how quickly their actions, could cost them.”
Ifeoma Nobo called for justice on the matter, urging the relevant authorities to bring to book, the staff who “intentionally” exposed the lady’s breast.
”Ok let’s even say they needed to drag her out, the men had done so almost successfully until one of the ladies intentionally pulled up her top. That woman should be equally brought to book. How can you do that to your fellow woman on full glare of cameras. It’s not fair,” she said.
Chuks Njoku also said, “After watching that video, I discovered that the Air hostess internationally tore the lady’s top.”
This publication highlights below more reactions of Nigerians to the exposing of the lady’s nakedness by Ibom Air staff.
Udeme Davies, ”Ibom Air flight crew can be rude. I have experienced them twice I just ignored the stupid girl.”
Oloma Ovoh, ”She was rough handled badly. They should have escorted her quietly to the terminal, dragging her and making videos of her breast was uncalled for.”
Dakorite Bornfirst, ”This is an embarrassment and it shouldn’t be swept under the carpet. Those staff should be queried over this inhuman treatment to customer that boarded their plane. Can they do this to any of the known celebrities? Seriously, this is bad in it’s totality.”
Mimi Akpabot, ” Her treatment was appalling. The saddest part was that women we encouraging the abuse”
Ima O Ima, ”Exactly my point. Even if the girl was mad, airhostess are trained not to be mad. There are lots of ways of holding on to the girl instead of depriving her of coming out and later bundling her out in such a manner.”
