Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – August 12, 2025
The Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio has issued a powerful condemnation and call for action following reports of the alleged maltreatment of one of its daughters, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, during an incident involving Ibom Air.
Expressing “deep outrage,” the Council stated that their daughter Ms. Emmanson, suffered unacceptable treatment both during and after the flight. The Council drew a stark contrast between corporate interests and human dignity, asserting, “Ms. Comfort Emmanson is a daughter, a human being whose value far exceeds that of any corporate asset.” They emphasized the irreparable nature of the harm, declaring, “Businesses can recover lost revenue, rebrand, and rebuild, but the dignity, mental health, and emotional well-being of a daughter, once violated, cannot be so easily restored.”
While acknowledging passengers’ duty to follow lawful safety instructions, the Council stressed that airlines and security personnel bear an “even greater duty to handle situations with restraint, fairness, and cultural sensitivity.” They specifically condemned reports that Ms. Emmanson was “physically blocked from exiting the aircraft and treated ‘as if she were a criminal,'” labeling such actions unacceptable and demanding an urgent investigation.
To address the situation, the Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio issued three clear demands. First, they called for an Independent Investigation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to thoroughly review all available evidence, including witness accounts and recorded footage. Second, they demanded Medical and Legal Protection for Ms. Emmanson to prioritize her “physical and emotional well-being.” Third, they insisted on a Policy Review by Ibom Air itself to ensure future disputes are resolved “without unnecessary humiliation or force.”
Concluding their statement, the Council delivered a poignant reminder of community responsibility: “The Grand Council reminds all parties that while businesses operate in pursuit of profit, communities exist to protect their people, especially daughters. Ms. Comfort Emmanson is not just a passenger on a manifest, she is a child of our community, and her dignity is our collective responsibility.” The statement was issued by Oku-Idem Ikpaisong Ibibio on behalf of the Grand Council.
The statement reads in full:
Press Release
For Immediate Release
The Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio Condemns the Maltreatment of Their Daughter, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, Calls for Justice and Respect for Human Dignity
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, August 12, 2025.
The Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio expresses deep outrage over the reported maltreatment of our daughter, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, during and after an incident on an Ibom Air flight. While Ibom Air is a business enterprise focused on profitability and service delivery, Ms. Comfort Emmanson is a daughter, a human being whose value far exceeds that of any corporate asset. Businesses can recover lost revenue, rebrand, and rebuild, but the dignity, mental health, and emotional well-being of a daughter, once violated, cannot be so easily restored.
We recognize that passengers have a duty to follow lawful crew instructions for safety. However, airlines and security personnel have an even greater duty to handle situations with restraint, fairness, and cultural sensitivity. Reports that Ms. Emmanson was physically blocked from exiting the aircraft and treated “as if she were a criminal” are unacceptable and demand urgent investigation.
We call for:
An Independent Investigation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to review all evidence, including witness accounts and recorded footage.
Medical and Legal Protection for Ms. Emmanson to ensure her physical and emotional well-being are prioritized.
Policy Review by Ibom Air to guarantee that future disputes are resolved without unnecessary humiliation or force.
The Grand Council reminds all parties that while businesses operate in pursuit of profit, communities exist to protect their people, especially daughters. Ms. Comfort Emmanson is not just a passenger on a manifest, she is a child of our community, and her dignity is our collective responsibility.
With love and solidarity, Oku-Idem Ikpaisong Ibibio
For The Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio
