Agency summons Ibom Air cabin crew, Emmanson for further investigation

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has mandated that all mobile phones must be switched off during takeoff and landing of an aircraft in Nigeria, saying that the flight mode option is no longer acceptable.

Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, who issued the directive after an emergency meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NSASC) and stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, yesterday, called for deeper synergy between all aviation stakeholders to stem unruly passengers’ behaviour and safety.

The meeting had in attendance airline operators, all critical security agencies, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the National Assembly, and other aviation stakeholders.

He stated: “To avoid ambiguity and confusion, all mobile phones and other electric devices should be switched off during the critical stage of flight on all Nigerian airlines. No flight mode any longer.”

Najomo, however, directed airline operators in Nigeria to amend their manuals to reflect the requirement and submit them to the NCAA for approval. He called on the crew members of the airlines to communicate the directive to the passengers, saying that it behoves on the passengers to comply with the crew instructions.

The DGCA warned that unruly behaviour in the industry would not be tolerated, adding: “Henceforth, things would not be as usual. If you are unruly, you are unruly.” He reiterated the need to train, retrain and continuously train officials on matters relating to aviation security.

In his presentation, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michaeal Achimugu, said recent events around unruly customer behaviour had brought out different shades to the crises. He said that when one enters an airport terminal, the rules change.

Also, Director of Aviation Security Regulation at the NCAA, Dr Omogo Chinedu, while welcoming the participants, said the committee had the mandate to coordinate security issues in aviation as empowered by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act.

Meanwhile, the NCAA has invited Comfort Emmanson, Juliana Edward and members of Ibom Air’s cabin crew for further questioning. Achimugu disclosed this yesterday during the meeting in Abuja while responding to questions after delivering his presentation. He said the NCAA had already spoken with Emmanson earlier on Tuesday, adding that she and her colleagues would appear before the Authority today to continue the investigation.

The NCAA spokesman said that the pilot-in-command did not immediately call in security operatives after landing in Lagos, as the matter appeared to have been resolved before departure from Uyo.

Achimugu assured stakeholders that the NCAA would conduct a thorough probe to establish all the facts surrounding the incident.