..urges professionalism on handling intoxicated, disruptive passengers

The Group Managing Chief Executive of CUBEGROUP, Mr. Moyosola Niran-Oladunni, has condemned what he described as the “unprofessional and dehumanising” treatment of an Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, during an incident on August 10, 2025.

Speaking in reaction to various media reports, Niran-Oladunni said the incident — which occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos — reflected poorly on Nigeria’s image and exposed a worrying lack of professional handling in the aviation sector.

“From the various reports which are not conflicting about the build up to the saga, the incident happened on air. However, once the aircraft had landed, the professional approach should have been to escort her to the arrival hall and hand her over to airport security for further interrogation,” he stated.

He criticised the manner in which the passenger was allegedly manhandled, describing it as far below aviation industry standards, saying “Even human remains are handled with more dignity than what we saw here. She was dehumanised, and that is unacceptable”.

According to the CUBEGROUP boss, such incidents undermine Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage and reveal an inability to manage intoxicated or disruptive passengers with the skill and composure required in modern aviation.

He stressed the importance of experienced and well-trained ground handlers in preventing such mishandling.

Niran-Oladunni also cautioned aviation personnel against overzealousness, calling instead for restraint, tact, and adherence to professional procedures.

He noted that two similar incidents in recent weeks have raised serious concerns about the temperament and conduct of airline and airport staff.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders in the aviation industry to prioritise professionalism, protect passenger dignity, and safeguard the country’s image.

“This incident sends the wrong message about our capability on the global stage. It reflects poorly on our image and highlights a worrying inability to handle intoxicated or disruptive passengers with the level of professionalism required in aviation. This is exactly why experienced and trained ground handlers remain essential in our industry”, he concluded.