Olayiwola Matthew
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has directed sanctions against any Ibom Air staff member responsible for leaking the video showing the indecent exposure of a female passenger involved in an onboard altercation.
In a statement on Monday, Keyamo said while filming the incident for use as evidence in court was appropriate, releasing footage containing indecent exposure to the public was “totally unacceptable”.
Videos shared on X showed an enraged female passenger attacking a flight attendant on an Ibom Air plane and confronting airport security officials.
Ibom Air had earlier imposed a travel restriction on the passenger for assaulting some of its cabin crew members.
The ministry of aviation also announced that the passenger has been charged in court and is currently remanded in Kirikiri correctional facility.
Speaking on the development, Keyamo said she was remanded as she could not provide adequate sureties in court.
“We also note the scuffle that took place between the unruly passenger and ground personnel before she was eventually subdued. This was because of her uncooperative attitude,” the post reads.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is DEPLORABLE is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to us.
“We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever RELEASED that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.”
The minister also directed airlines to intensify staff training in public relations and conflict de-escalation.
He announced that a joint security meeting involving relevant agencies would be held next week to improve coordination in handling similar incidents.
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down remedies to address grievances,” he said.
“The Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has consistently advertised these remedies and there is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences.”
Keyamo said the ministry would keep enforcing all applicable aviation sanctions against unruly passengers, including lengthy flight bans, and would refer such cases to other law enforcement agencies for further action within their authority.