- Ibom Air Staff in Hot Soup Over Leaked Passenger Video
- Keyamo explained that it was “totally unacceptable” to release the clip to the public
- The minister further instructed airlines to enhance staff training
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed that any Ibom Air staff member responsible for leaking the video showing a female passenger involved in an onboard altercation should face disciplinary action.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a statement issued on Monday, Keyamo explained that while recording the incident for use as court evidence was permissible, it was “totally unacceptable” to release the clip to the public, particularly since it contained indecent exposure.
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The incident involved an irate female passenger who assaulted a flight attendant on an Ibom Air flight and later confronted airport security officers, as seen in videos shared on X. The airline had already banned her from future flights for attacking cabin crew members.
According to a report by The Cable, the Ministry of Aviation confirmed that the passenger has been charged in court and is being held on remand at Kirikiri Correctional Facility. Keyamo noted that her remand followed her inability to provide sufficient sureties in court.
“We also note the scuffle that took place between the unruly passenger and ground personnel before she was eventually subdued. This was due to her uncooperative attitude,” the statement read. “While we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is DEPLORABLE is releasing such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to us.
“We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever RELEASED that part of the video containing the indecent exposure among the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.”
The minister further instructed airlines to enhance staff training in dispute de-escalation and public relations. He stressed that “The Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has consistently advertised these remedies, and there is no point in trying to take the law into one’s hands, which may lead to dire consequences.”
Keyamo added that the ministry would continue enforcing relevant aviation sanctions, including extended flight bans for unruly passengers, and would refer such cases to appropriate law enforcement agencies for further action.
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