News

Ibom Air female passenger’s remand ignites selective justice uproar

Published

5 months ago

August 12, 2025

The remand of female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting an Ibom Air cabin crew member and some security officers during a Uyo–Lagos flight on Sunday has triggered public outrage and accusations of selective justice.

Viral videos captured Emmanson slapping and kicking airline and airport officials, including a female air hostess, after she allegedly refused repeated instructions to switch off her phone before takeoff.

In one clip, she was seen being dragged off the aircraft by airline security operatives.

Ibom Air, in a statement, accused the passenger of nearly using a fire extinguisher from the aircraft to attack officials before being restrained.

The airline confirmed it had reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and had imposed a permanent travel ban on Emmanson.

“Ibom Air has since submitted a report on the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and placed a travel restriction on Ms Emmanson, who will no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft,” the airline stated.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, confirmed in a statement on Monday that Emmanson had been charged to court and remanded in prison.

“All the more reason the flying public should be more careful—the unruly passenger on the Uyo–Lagos-bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court, and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” Moshood said via his verified X account, @TundeMoshoody.

However, the revelation has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians accusing the airline authorities of double standards, citing the case of Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM 1, who allegedly obstructed a ValueJet flight in Abuja last week but faced no such consequences.

X.com user @EmmyPromise71 wrote, “The level of selective punishment in this country is overwhelming, my God! Some animals are more equal than others. Nigeria is my country.”

Another user, @Ronaldnziroma, said, “The Ibom Air girl did not block or impede an aeroplane; she just fought an air hostess, but she is in prison. KWAM 1 assaulted an air hostess and the pilot, blocked and impeded the plane, which is terrorism, and even did a show over the weekend, and he is at home chilling.”

Similarly, @yongmayor wrote, “KWAM 1 intended to stop an aircraft on the runway, poured alcohol on a pilot, yet got away with just an apology. KWAM 2 (the female passenger) refused to turn off her mobile devices, harassed the air hostess, and got banned from flying for life. Nigerian laws are only written for the poor.”

A media aidemedia aide , Paul Ibe, @Omolakimi, weighed in, saying, “The assault of Ibom Air crew and airport security officials on Sunday by Ms Comfort Emmanson is the reason why we need to be deliberate about nipping bad behaviour in the bud.

“There’s a temptation to hail the airport security officials for acting swiftly and removing the unruly passenger from the aircraft and the tarmac.

“But the question arises: Why was KWAM 1 also not bundled out of the tarmac in the same manner when he, in a hostage-taking manner, obstructed ValueJet Airline operations in Abuja last week? Maybe it was because Comfort is not a friend of the president.

“This is the reason why the authorities should have made an example of KWAM 1 to avert copycats like Passenger Comfort from breeding a KWAM 2 scenario.

“The question is, when will KWAM 1 be arraigned in court along with Comfort? The world, especially the international aviation body, is watching.”

Similar outrage spilt over to Facebook, where users demanded equal treatment for both the female passenger and KWAM 1.

Leading the call on Monday, a user identified as Simeon Owomorinle wrote, “If this one could be remanded in prison, (what about K1)?”

Another user, Oma Kantaga, commented, “When K1 did his thing, it was a rich man’s thing. Poor man pikin go copywrite come fail exam.”

A similar sentiment came from Sanni Adeyemi, who noted, “Only God knows what she was coming to Lagos for. She didn’t throw tantrums where she left from. On landing in Lagos, she began to misbehave.”

Also weighing in, Toc Emmar stated, “Let them do the same to K1 and Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole started Nigeria on a path of selective justice.”

As calls for fairness grew louder, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria issued a reminder to all passengers to abide by aviation laws and regulations.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 317

News

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 10

News

Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 8

News

Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea