FAAN: Our officials weren’t involved in initial response to Ibom Air incident

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the initial response to the incident involving Comfort Emmanson, the passenger who was accused of assaulting airline officials on an Ibom Air flight, was managed by the airline’s security personnel alongside the Bi-Courtney Aviation security team.

In a statement on Friday, the agency said its officials were not involved in the initial response.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide further clarification regarding the incident that occurred on Sunday, August 10, 2025, involving a passenger of Ibom Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos,” the statement reads.

“MM2 is a privately-owned terminal operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, and as such, the initial response to the incident was handled by Ibom Air’s security personnel and the Bi-Courtney Aviation Security Team.”

According to the statement, FAAN’s aviation security (AVSEC) team became involved only after “the individual was transferred to the Crime Investigation and Intelligence Unit (Tango City)” for official documentation and handover to the police for prosecution.

For public awareness, the agency said the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 2 (MM2) is classified as a private tenant restricted area.

Within the terminal, FAAN noted that its AVSEC officers handle passenger and baggage screening at designated checkpoints, while the Bi-Courtney Aviation security team manages overall terminal security operations.

“FAAN remains committed to the ongoing training and retraining of our AVSEC officers,” the statement reads.

“While we appreciate the numerous training proposals submitted by members of the public, we wish to emphasise that only institutions certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are authorised to conduct certification-related trainings for our aviation personnel.”

FAAN reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and professionalism across all airports nationwide.

On Monday, the police charged Emmanson, which led to her remand at the prison.

She had clashed with Ibom Air officials on a Uyo to Lagos flight on Sunday.

During the incident, she was forcefully removed from the aircraft with her clothes torn, leaving her partially nude.

The incident elicited varied reactions, with many Nigerians condemning the treatment meted out to her by airport officials.

FAAN had expressed concern on Monday over the increasing cases of unruly behaviour by passengers at the airports.

On Wednesday, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, announced that Ibom Air had withdrawn the complaint against Emmanson and that the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on her had been lifted.