How Ibom Air passenger was provoked – Eyewitness

A passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos has claimed that airline staff provoked fellow traveller Comfort Emmanson before the aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed Airport.

David Ogede, a lawyer who sat next to Emmanson during the flight, told Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that one of the air hostesses engaged her in a confrontational manner both before departure and mid-flight.

Ogede said the first air hostess was professional and polite when instructing passengers to switch off phones before takeoff. However, a second hostess intervened after Emmanson explained that her phone’s power button was faulty.

“Even from her posture, it was clear she came looking for trouble,” Ogede recalled. “The air hostess told her again, ‘Switch off your phone, switch off your phone.’ And Emmanson replied clearly, ‘Please, the buttons on my phone to switch off are not working… I do not know how to switch it off.’”

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He alleged that the exchange escalated when the hostess dismissed Emmanson’s explanations, told her she didn’t need a button to power off her iPhone but refused to assist when asked.

“I do not have time for your nonsense. Just switch it off,” Ogede quoted the hostess as saying.

The situation drew the attention of nearby passengers, who offered to help after Emmanson said she couldn’t read the phone’s settings menu. Ogede claimed the tension persisted until landing, with passengers sensing the matter could spiral.

After touchdown, Emmanson reportedly began cursing in strong language during disembarkation, prompting the second air hostess to walk away without returning.

Ogede said the incident might have been avoided entirely if the matter had been handled with more tact by the crew.