A prominent Nigerian singer has called for legal action against airport personnel responsible for circulating unedited footage of a passenger’s controversial altercation with airline staff. Simi, a Grammy-nominated artist, criticized the handling of a viral video showing Comfort Emmanson, a woman forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight after refusing to power down her phone before takeoff. The musician argued that while Emmanson’s conduct warranted scrutiny, those who filmed and shared explicit portions of the incident without consent should also face consequences.
In a series of Instagram posts, Simi highlighted the ethical breach of posting footage that exposed Emmanson’s private parts during the confrontation. “Someone recorded her being dragged off the plane, recorded her being exposed like that, and then posted it without editing this out,” she wrote. “I want to know who posted that video and why no one is holding them accountable.” She stressed that distributing the video to millions of viewers—far beyond the handful of eyewitnesses present—amplified the violation of privacy. “You cannot condemn one madness and leave another,” she added, urging authorities to investigate both parties.
The incident unfolded on Ibom Air Flight Q153, where Emmanson reportedly clashed with crew members over compliance with aviation safety protocols. Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority mandates that passengers disable electronic devices during takeoff and landing. When Emmonson resisted, the disagreement escalated into a physical struggle, culminating in her removal from the aircraft. A graphic video of the altercation spread rapidly across social media, sparking debates about passenger rights, privacy laws, and corporate accountability.
While much attention initially centered on Emmanson’s refusal to follow instructions, Simi’s intervention shifted focus to broader questions about digital ethics. Legal experts note that Nigeria’s Data Protection Act prohibits sharing personal data without consent, potentially implicating those who disseminated the unredacted footage. Ibom Air has not publicly addressed the leak but stated it is cooperating with authorities reviewing the incident.
The case underscores growing concerns about the rapid spread of sensitive content in an era of ubiquitous smartphones. Advocacy groups stress that even individuals facing disciplinary action retain rights to dignity and privacy. As investigations continue, the backlash highlights tensions between public accountability and the ethics of viral exposure—a balance increasingly tested in interconnected digital spaces.
