An Ikeja Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos, on Wednesday cleared Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard a flight.

Presiding Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami dismissed the case after the police withdrew five charges.

The move followed an announcement by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), that Ibom Air had agreed to drop its complaint.

According to Keyamo, the decision came after consultations with aviation stakeholders, appeals from concerned individuals, and the remorse shown by those involved.

Emmanson, arrested over the August 10 incident, was arraigned on Monday and granted bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum but was held at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for not meeting the conditions.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of new developments and requested that the case be withdrawn. The request was approved, resulting in Emmanson’s release.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has revealed that the Federal Government will withdraw its criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson and address the associated issues.

In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, Minister Festus Keyamo said that after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and parties connected to the recent incidents involving the unruly conduct of Ms. Emmanson and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall at various airports, the government has resolved to drop the cases.

His full statement reads:

PRESS STATEMENT: DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS

1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.

2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:

THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON

(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.

THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)

(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.

AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

FINAL COMMENTS

8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK)

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The Nigerian Air Force reports that it has flown over 1,500 operational hours under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in the past eight months, eliminating at least 592 terrorists and destroying 372 enemy assets.

According to the Air Force, the missions included 798 combat sorties that significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East.

In a statement on Tuesday, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, revealed the figures during a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in Maiduguri.

“The Nigerian Air Force unleashed an unyielding air onslaught against terrorist elements in the North-East, killing no fewer than 592 fighters and obliterating 372 enemy assets in eight months — a tempo of operations already outstripping the entirety of 2024,” the CAS stated.

“Backed by an upgraded fleet and precision night-strike capabilities, we have crippled terrorist mobility and logistics by destroying 206 technical vehicles and 166 key logistics hubs deep in hostile territory. This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical. We are taking out high-value targets, crippling their logistics, and hunting down every cell that threatens the peace of the North-East.”

Abubakar noted that from Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, and Azir to Mallam Fatori, NAF aircraft have maintained day-and-night operations, using A-29 Super Tucano jets for precision attacks, Mi-171 helicopters for logistics and medical evacuation, and advanced surveillance systems for round-the-clock target monitoring.

He added that the recently acquired Mi-35 gunship is expected to boost close-air support for ground troops in the area.

The Air Chief commended the “Borno Model” — a community-focused, non-kinetic engagement approach combined with decisive military strikes — describing it as an effective strategy in the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

“We are winning this war in the air, on the ground, and in the hearts of the people,” Abubakar affirmed, highlighting that NAF’s missions aim to protect civilians and rebuild trust alongside neutralising enemy capabilities.

Governor Zulum praised the Air Force for its consistent air support in weakening terrorist forces and safeguarding communities.

“The Nigerian Air Force has been a steadfast partner in our fight against insurgency. Your operations have saved countless lives and allowed our communities to begin rebuilding. The people of Borno State recognise your sacrifices and stand firmly behind you,” he said.

However, the governor urged for more air platforms to further target terrorist bases in the Lake Chad region, Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains.

“Notwithstanding the enormous contribution to peace and security in the state by the Nigerian Air Force, we still need more in terms of air power in our general Area of Responsibility — especially in the shores of Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains. These areas are very difficult to be manned effectively by ground troops alone. We need heavy air power to eliminate the insurgents and address insecurity in the general area,” he said.

Zulum acknowledged the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other assets to the state and surrounding region, pledging full support for NAF’s continued success.

“The Borno State Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and other stakeholders to consolidate the gains we have achieved and address the gaps that persist,” he added.

He also commended the cooperation between the Air Force and other security agencies in counter-insurgency operations, noting its role in recent successes.