A recent altercation between a passenger and a flight attendant aboard an Ibom Air flight has drawn attention after an eyewitness described the incident during a televised interview. David Ogede, a lawyer who was seated near passenger Comfort Emmanson during the Sunday flight, recounted the exchange during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday. According to Ogede, tensions arose when a cabin crew member repeatedly instructed Emmanson to power off her mobile device entirely, per the airline’s policy prohibiting flight mode during takeoff.
Ogede stated that the flight attendant approached Emmanson twice, insisting she comply with safety protocols. A second crew member later positioned herself near Emmanson’s seat, which Ogede interpreted as an escalation. “From her posture, you would see that she came for trouble,” he said, noting that Emmanson appeared to struggle with her phone’s controls. The passenger reportedly explained that her device’s buttons were malfunctioning, making it impossible to shut down. “I heard it. Please, the buttons on my phone are not working,” Emmanson said, according to Ogede, before asking the attendant for assistance.
The crew member declined to help, responding, “I’m not touching your phone. Just switch it off. I don’t have time for your nonsense.” Ogede described the attendant’s tone as confrontational, adding that he felt “humiliated” witnessing the interaction. He acknowledged Ibom Air’s clear instructions to passengers to power off devices but criticized the crew’s handling of the situation. “To be fair, the airline instructed everyone very clearly… but the way the air hostess spoke to her was triggering,” he said.
The incident raises questions about balancing safety enforcement with customer service, particularly when passengers face technical challenges. While airlines globally mandate device restrictions during critical phases of flight, protocols for assisting travelers vary. Ibom Air, a Nigerian carrier, has not publicly commented on the matter.
Ogede’s account has sparked discussions online, with some users emphasizing the need for empathy in enforcing rules, while others stress the importance of compliance for collective safety. The exchange underscores broader debates around passenger rights and crew training in commercial aviation.
