Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered sanctions against any Ibom Air staff involved in leaking a video showing the indecent exposure of a female passenger during an onboard altercation.
In a statement on Monday, Keyamo said while recording the incident for legal evidence was acceptable, releasing footage containing indecent content to the public was “totally unacceptable.”
The video, shared on X, showed the passenger attacking a flight attendant and clashing with airport security. Ibom Air had earlier placed a travel ban on her for assaulting crew members.
According to the aviation ministry, the passenger has been charged in court and remanded at Kirikiri correctional facility after failing to provide the required sureties.
“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.”
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