The viral Ibom Air incident that shook Nigeria earlier this month continues to spark heated conversations nationwide. Now, the passenger at the heart of the controversy, Comfort Emmanson (popularly known as Comfort Bob), has come forward with her side of the story—offering emotional details about what truly transpired during and after the flight.
A Dispute Over a Faulty Phone
According to Comfort, the drama began mid-flight when a flight attendant insisted that she power down her phones completely instead of switching them to flight mode. One of the devices had a faulty power button, making it difficult to shut down. A fellow passenger eventually helped her power both phones off, but this did not end the tension.
Blocked From Leaving the Aircraft
Upon landing in Lagos, Comfort says she was shocked when the same attendant blocked her from disembarking, without offering any explanation. What should have been a routine exit soon escalated into an ugly confrontation that quickly went viral.
Allegations of Assault and Public Humiliation
Comfort’s account describes a harrowing ordeal. She claims airline staff dragged her, tore her clothes, ripped off her wig, and even broke her jewelry. The confrontation spilled into public view, leaving her exposed and humiliated. To make matters worse, videos of her ordeal spread rapidly online, with some being turned into memes and even stickers—a violation she says left her deeply traumatized.
“I Was Provoked, Not the Aggressor”
While acknowledging that she poked the attendant during the confrontation, Comfort insists this was a reaction to the pain and humiliation she was subjected to. “I wouldn’t poke an elderly woman if I weren’t provoked,” she explained, dismissing claims that she had been the aggressor.
A Fight for Dignity
Beyond her personal pain, Comfort has expressed frustration at how the narrative around the incident has been misrepresented. She rejects claims that her actions were politically motivated or staged, stressing that she only reacted as a human being under distress.
Backlash Against Ibom Air
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemned the treatment she received, describing it as a “grave affront to human dignity.” Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu also weighed in, calling the incident an example of “selective justice” and highlighting the humiliation of a woman being stripped in public.
Even the Federal Government has since stepped in, with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo condemning the leak of indecent videos while stressing the need for staff retraining on conflict management. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also launched an investigation, calling for witnesses to ensure fairness to all parties.
Where Things Stand Now
In a surprising turn, the Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal complaint against Comfort, acknowledging that the incident exposed deeper issues within the aviation sector. Meanwhile, public debate rages on about accountability, professionalism, and respect for passengers’ rights.
Final Thoughts
The Ibom Air saga has become more than just a passenger-airline quarrel—it’s now a national conversation about human dignity, privacy, and the power of social media to amplify trauma. Comfort Emmanson’s story is a sobering reminder that behind every viral clip is a real person, dealing with scars that may never heal.
video of Comfort Emmanson testimony below
