The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority says a verified eyewitness has come forward to give a first-hand account of the altercation between female passenger Comfort Emmanson and an Ibom Air crew member, which sparked nationwide debate and a wave of reactions on social media.

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Wednesday in a post on X.com following his earlier post on Tuesday where he publicly appealed for other passengers aboard the August 10 Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight to come forward with verifiable accounts “in the interest of justice and fairness.”

Achimugu said the witness, who sat directly beside Emmanson during the flight, had contacted him, provided a boarding pass for verification, and offered testimony shedding new light on the events before the plane’s departure.

His post read, “The passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me (also sent in his boarding pass) and given his account of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure.

“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off.”

He added that although the witness would release a personal statement later in the day, the NCAA had issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and would invite the airline and other eyewitnesses to a meeting.

Achimugu wrote, “Although he says he will release a statement later today, the Authority has issued an LOI to Ibom Air and will invite both airline and eye witnesses to a meeting.

“One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.

“There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable.”

The spokesperson also reaffirmed the commitment of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the NCAA to protecting the rights of all aviation stakeholders.

“Every data gathered from conversations and investigations is to assist in identifying the gaps and fixing them. Mediation is an acceptable form of conflict resolution, and the Minister has shown leadership as usual. The Authority will continue to protect the rights of all aviation consumers,:” he concluded.

The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.

Keyamo announced the decisions on Wednesday stating that the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and considering the remorse shown by those involved.

He also revealed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.

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Iran’s top security chief vowed in Lebanon on Wednesday that his government would continue to provide support, after the Lebanese government ordered the army to devise a plan to disarm Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Ali Larijani’s trip to Lebanon comes after Iran expressed opposition to a government plan to disarm Hezbollah, which, before a war with Israel last year, was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military.

“If… the Lebanese people are suffering, we in Iran will also feel this pain and we will stand by the dear people of Lebanon in all circumstances,” Larijani, the head of the National Security Council, told reporters after landing in Beirut.

Dozens of Hezbollah supporters gathered along the airport road to welcome Larijani. He briefly stepped out of his car to greet them as they chanted slogans of support.

In Lebanon, Larijani is scheduled to meet with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah.

Iran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in June.

Hezbollah’s grip on power has slipped since a war with Israel ended in a November 2024 ceasefire, and the new Lebanese government, backed by the United States, has moved to restrain it further.

Hezbollah is part of Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance” — a network of armed groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Yemen’s Huthi rebels, united in their opposition to Israel.

The ouster in December of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which long served as a conduit for weapons deliveries between Iran and Hezbollah, cut off the supply route to Lebanon.

Iran has declared its firm opposition to the Lebanese government’s bid to disarm Hezbollah, while the movement itself has slammed the decision as a “grave sin”.

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The Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo and his counterpart from the Abeokuta South Local Government, Afeez Balogun, have both declared plans to register not fewer than 8000 commercial motorcyclists operating in the two council areas for the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.

Oyegbola-Sodipo disclosed this on Tuesday at a joint press briefing with the Abeokuta South LG Chairman held at the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council secretariat, Abeokuta

The LG boss explained that the initiative is in line with the commitment of Gov Dapo Abiodun to ensure that the people at the grassroots, especially the poorest of the poor in the informal sector of the economy, have unfettered access to qualitative healthcare services.

The council chairman disclosed that people who subscribe to this health care insurance scheme will get treatment for ailments ranging from Malaria, Typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension to even basic surgeries like hernia, appendicitis, among others.

He said that though other artisans and traders in the informal sector would also be captured for the exercise but the two local governments which fall within the Abeokuta metropolis are targeting the commercial motorcycle operators, given the risk they are exposed to daily, which could sometimes lead to accidents.

Oyegbola-Sodipo explained that “The Federal Road Safety Corps said that 45% of the accidents in the state are motorcycle-related, and when this happens, more often than not, the riders and the passengers are left on their own. Some may not have what it takes to get the required medical treatment.

“But with this health insurance scheme, the riders and the passengers are covered. They can easily get treated because the motorcycle riders have subscribed to the scheme.

“Each subscriber to this scheme will pay N300 daily for six days every week. The beauty of this is that even without being involved in any accident, you can always go to the nearest health facilities around you to access medical care if you have Malaria, Typhoid, Hypertension and even basic surgeries like hernia and appendicitis.”

He explained that, Contrary to misinformation making the rounds, this scheme does not, in any way, affect the daily ticketing system operated by the recognised Okada riders’ unions — ROMO, ACOMORAN, and AMORAN.

Oyegbola-Sodipo also said that participation in this insurance scheme is strictly voluntary, while no rider is under any obligation to subscribe, and no penalties exist for those who choose not to participate.

He noted that key stakeholders within the unions have also been fully carried along since November last year, while several meetings and engagements were held to explain the purpose, benefits, and operational details of the insurance scheme, ensuring full transparency and stakeholder buy-in before implementation.

Oyegbola-Sodipo also said that the exercise, which kicked off last week Thursday at the Abeokuta North Local Government, had already captured 900 motorcycle riders and that the plan is to bring on board about 8000 okada riders working in the two local governments.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of Abeokuta South, Afeez Balogun, said that 2000 elderly people have been registered for this health insurance scheme in both local governments, and they have continued to enjoy free health care services and which they have always appreciated.

He disclosed that his local government will also be starting the onboarding of the commercial motorcycle riders into the health insurance scheme on Wednesday.

Balogun said that the essence of this health insurance scheme is to provide a safety net for the people and ensure that their well-being does not suffer unnecessarily due to a lack of funds.

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