By Deborah Nnamdi
Comfort Emmanson, the young woman at the center of a viral controversy involving a member of the Ibom Air crew, has come forward to share her version of events.
In a detailed Instagram post shared via her account, @soft_commy, Emmanson accused a flight attendant, identified as Juliana Edwards, of physically assaulting her during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10. She alleged that the confrontation began when she struggled to turn off her mobile phones during pre-flight checks and escalated into a physical altercation upon arrival in Lagos.
According to Emmanson, the situation took a violent turn after landing. She claims the flight attendant forcefully removed her frontal wig, broke her gold jewelry, and damaged her phones during a scuffle that left her physically bruised and emotionally shaken.
“She insulted me, called me a prostitute, and blocked me from disembarking. When I tried to record her, she turned aggressive, dragging me back, tearing my clothes, and hurting me in the process,” Emmanson recounted.
She explained that during boarding, she was having difficulty switching off one of her two phones due to a faulty power button. She said she had asked the flight attendant for assistance but was instead met with what she described as condescending remarks. A fellow passenger eventually helped her switch off both devices.
Emmanson stated that although she believed the issue had been resolved, tensions resurfaced after landing. As she attempted to exit the aircraft following a brief visit to the restroom, she claimed Edwards intentionally blocked her path. She decided to record the encounter, at which point, she says, the situation became violent.
“She dragged my frontal wig off, cut my gold chain in the process, and threw my phones to the ground,” she said. “I was in pain. Anyone who has fixed a frontal knows how painful it is to have it yanked off. That pain made me poke her in the face and ask why she was doing that to me.”
Emmanson said the incident left her physically injured and deeply traumatized. She further alleged that other members of the crew and some passengers joined in dragging her, while parts of the incident were filmed and later circulated on social media without her consent.
“They tore my clothes. I was exposed. I’m now scared to even step out in public. People are using my pictures and body as stickers online,” she lamented. “I haven’t spoken earlier because I’ve been undergoing treatment. But I need to speak up now—for my name, my dignity, and my future.”
Emmanson, who works in real estate, expressed fears about how the incident and the viral videos might affect her career and personal life.
“I’m not a troublesome person. I didn’t refuse to switch off my phone. I never imagined something so minor would lead to this kind of humiliation,” she said, adding that the incident has left her traumatized and struggling to regain her confidence.
As of now, Ibom Air has not publicly commented on Emmanson’s claims. The incident has sparked widespread debate online about professionalism, passenger rights, and crew conduct.
