Fresh outrage has erupted after Mr. Emmanuel Emmanson publicly accused officials at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, of humiliating his daughter, Comfort Emmanson, by stripping her naked during a disagreement with Ibom Air crew on August 14, 2025. The furious father claims his daughter’s dignity was violated simply because “she has no one in power.”
According to Mr. Emmanson, trouble started when Comfort, a paying passenger on Abuja-bound Flight QI0205, questioned the sudden change of her allocated seat. Things escalated after one of the airline’s ground staff allegedly labelled her “rude,” prompting uniformed security personnel to drag her into a secluded office where she was allegedly forced to take off her clothes under claims of conducting a security search.
Shaken to tears during a phone interview, Comfort confirmed she was made to remove her blouse and trousers, standing half-naked while male and female officers watched and laughed. She insisted she had no contraband and felt the entire ordeal was designed to humiliate her into submission. Passengers who witnessed the earlier confrontation recorded portions of the drama, snippets of which have since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter).
Mr. Emmanson described the incident as “state-backed bullying” targeting someone with no political connections. He has now petitioned the Ministry of Aviation and threatened legal action demanding financial compensation, a public apology from Ibom Air, and immediate suspension of the officials involved. He insists nothing less than accountability will erase the emotional trauma inflicted on his daughter.
Civil rights organisations including SERAP and Amnesty International Nigeria have condemned the alleged assault, calling for an independent investigation. Legal experts argue that stripping a passenger without a court order or warrant not only contravenes aviation laws but also breaches Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects citizens from degrading treatment.
Ibom Air’s media office issued a brief statement denying authorising any form of human rights abuse, claiming it would “review footage and cooperate with authorities.” However, critics believe the airline is only reacting due to public pressure as #JusticeForComfort trends across social media timelines.
The Emmanson family has vowed not to back down until their daughter receives justice, saying this case should serve as a warning to institutions that casually dehumanise citizens. They insist it is time to show that “ordinary people” without powerful godfathers still deserve basic respect in their own country.
