A passenger has been taken into custody after an incident on an Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday, which the airline says posed a threat to the safety of the crew, passengers, and the aircraft.

In a statement on Monday, Ibom Air identified the passenger as Ms. Comfort Emmanson and said the disruption began before departure from Uyo when she refused to switch off her mobile phone after being instructed to do so in line with aviation safety procedures.

The airline said she only complied after the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, and a fellow passenger seated next to her switched the phone off. “This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson,” the statement read.

Upon arrival in Lagos, the airline said Ms. Emmanson confronted the Purser who had earlier given the instruction, stepped on her, tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and struck her with footwear. The airline added that she slapped the Purser several times and also slapped another cabin crew member who tried to intervene.

Ibom Air said she then attempted to remove a fire extinguisher from the aircraft, an act it noted could have damaged the aircraft. At that point, the Pilot-in-Command alerted airport security. Before they arrived, the Purser, “as seen on the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived,” the airline said.

The airline reported that Ms. Emmanson attacked security personnel on board, was restrained and removed from the aircraft, and continued the assault after disembarking, striking Ibom Air security staff and the ground supervisor.

She was taken from the ramp by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation. Ibom Air said it had submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and imposed a travel restriction on Ms. Emmanson, banning her from its flights.

“Ibom Air reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of unruly or violent conduct that threatens the safety of passengers, crew, or equipment,” the statement said, adding that such behaviour would attract legal action and permanent restrictions. The airline commended its crew, airport security, and police for their response.