LAGOS/Nigeria: The Grassroot People and Gender Development Center (GRADE) has expressed outrage over the violent treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who was forcibly dragged out of an Ibom Air aircraft on August 10, 2025, and subjected to physical assault in an incident that has drawn national concern.
Executive Director of GRADE, Mrs. Vivian Emesowum, described the act as “degrading, inhumane, and a blatant violation of human rights” that must be met with swift accountability. She said no woman, or any individual, should ever be subjected to such brutality, particularly in a public space where safety and dignity are meant to be guaranteed.
While acknowledging that disruptive behavior in public spaces, including aboard aircraft, cannot be condoned, Emesowum emphasized that safety measures must always be executed within the bounds of law, dignity, and gender sensitivity. “The physical dragging, public humiliation, and viral exposure of Ms. Emmanson’s ordeal represent a disturbing violation of her fundamental rights as enshrined in Nigerian law and international human rights conventions,” she said.
The group demanded an immediate and transparent investigation by Ibom Air and relevant authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable. It also stressed that disciplinary actions in the aviation industry must follow due process to maintain public trust in the system.
Calling for urgent gender-sensitive protocols in aviation security, GRADE noted that cases involving women must always ensure the presence of female officers to minimize both physical and psychological harm. The organization further urged airlines and security agencies to invest in continuous staff training to meet international standards and build tolerance in handling difficult situations.
While commending the government’s intervention in securing Ms. Emmanson’s release and lifting the lifetime ban initially imposed on her, GRADE insisted that systemic reforms are required to prevent a repeat of such an incident.
The group also raised concerns about the reckless use of personal gadgets and social media by aviation personnel, warning that such actions risk undermining the image of the nation.
“We stand with all women who have faced abuse, humiliation, or discrimination in public spaces,” Emesowum declared. “This case is a reminder that the fight for dignity and justice must be relentless, because an injury to one woman’s rights is an injury to us all.”
