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Summary
Naija Feminists Media condemns the assault, public humiliation, and discriminatory punishment of Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmason. The organisation calls for justice, accountability, and an end to gender-based violence.
We strongly condemn the assault, sexual humiliation, and discriminatory punishment of Comfort Emmason by Ibom Air on August 11, 2025.
While Ibom Air’s passenger, Comfort, might have acted unruly, the aircraft has a responsibility to de-escalate a situation while maintaining the dignity of the passenger. However, Ibom Air neglected this duty of care. In an attempt to disembark Comfort, who had previously pleaded to be allowed to leave, an air hostess tore her blouse and exposed her breasts. Someone believed to be an Ibom Air employee filmed the assault and posted the video online.
This is not accidental. It is a deliberate assault, which was physical, sexual, and meant to humiliate her. Sharing the video turned it into digital sexual abuse, prolonging and amplifying the harm. These actions are gender-based violence, targeting her because she is a woman and using her body as a weapon of punishment.
Comfort is now remanded at Kirikiri Prison, where she remains awaiting trial. Authorities banned her indefinitely from flying within Nigeria and abroad. This is excessive, unjust and discriminatory. A man, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, who assaulted an aircraft staff member by pouring liquid on her and blocked an aeroplane from flying in a recent incident, did not face nearly as harsh a punishment.
Justice should not be selective and must be commensurate with the harm caused.
We demand the following:
- Lift the excessive domestic and international flight ban against Comfort Emmason.
- Investigate and prosecute those responsible for the assault and video leak.
- Hold Ibom Air accountable for misconduct.
- Introduce measures to stop gender-based abuse and protect passengers.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, must now hold Ibom Air accountable, and the authorities must deliver justice and end violence against women.
In Solidarity,
Naija Feminists Media
