AON Imposes Lifetime Flight Ban on Passenger Over Violent Assault

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has placed Ms. Emmanson on its No-Fly List for life, banning her from flying with any AON member airline, domestically or internationally, with immediate effect.

In a statement issued Monday by its spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, the AON said the action followed one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed in 2025. The group warned that any passenger engaging in similar conduct in the future would face the same sanction.

According to the association, the incident—first reported by Ibom Air—involved Emmanson’s refusal to comply with safety instructions on mobile phone use, which escalated into a violent physical assault on crew members and an attempt to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

“This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that endangered the crew, passengers, and the aircraft itself,” the statement read. “Such behaviour is unacceptable. Effective immediately, Ms. Emmanson is banned for life from flying with any AON member airline.”

The AON commended Ibom Air for its swift and professional handling of the situation and noted that such incidents were becoming too frequent. It cited previous cases involving musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Air Peace.

The association also urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to tighten airport security protocols nationwide, highlighting vulnerabilities in the Aviation Security (AVSEC) response to such situations.

Details of the Incident

Ibom Air confirmed it had already placed a travel restriction on Emmanson after she assaulted crew members on its Uyo–Lagos flight (Q9 303) on Sunday.

According to the airline, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone before take-off but refused until a fellow passenger turned it off. She then verbally lashed out. The flight proceeded without further incident until landing in Lagos, where she allegedly waited for all passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser.

Ibom Air reported that she stepped on the Purser, tore off her wig, removed her glasses, and repeatedly slapped her. When another crew member intervened, Emmanson allegedly slapped her as well, before attempting to seize a fire extinguisher as a weapon—an act the airline said could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.

Security personnel from Ibom Air and FAAN were called, but Emmanson allegedly attacked them too, slapping the ground supervisor and resisting restraint.

She was later charged in court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos on Monday.

This incident comes just days after Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde (K1 De Ultimate) was banned for six months by the NCAA over unruly behaviour at Abuja Airport.