After Minister’s threat, Ibom Air reacts to trending video of stripped passenger

Following the directive urging Ibom Air to produce the staff who released the video of its stripped passenger, the airline has denied its involvement in such an act.

Politics Nigeria had reported that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo had frowned at the fact that the video of Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos was stripped of her clothes during a fistcuff with staff of the airline.

The minister while expressing his displeasure over the release of the video called on Ibom Air to as a matter of urgency produce the staff who released the clip online.

However, reacting to the minister’s directive, the airline claimed that it had not hand in the release of the video which has caused public outrage.

Aniekan Essienette, the Ibom Air Group Manager, Marketing and Communications claimed the video was recorded on the plane which had several people on board.

According to her, anyone but not an employee of the airline could have recorded the incident and shared the ‘inappropriate’ video on social media.

The airline has also faced backlash over how its staff manhandled the passenger, a situation which ought to have been handled by the airport security operatives.

Essienette said, “The video was recorded on the plane, but there were several people on board who were not Ibom Air employees. Anyone could have taken it.

“I can tell you categorically that Ibom Air did not release the video. We do not condone such indecent exposure, and it is unfortunate that the video has gone viral,” Essienette claimed.

Speaking on the events that led to the unfortunate incident, the spokesperson for Ibom Air said the passenger was defiant when instructions were given by the crew member for all electronic devices to be turned off.

She added that due to the lady’s behaviour, the pilot had notified the airport security of the incident upon landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

“Our crew had to restrain her to ensure security could escort her off the plane.

“Ibom Air values our customers and prides itself on reliability and excellent service. We remain committed to these principles.

“Most people obey the rule to switch off devices. The airline environment is controlled, and safety must come first.”