The management of Ibom Air has denied releasing the viral video showing a female passenger stripped naked while being dragged off one of its planes at Lagos Airport.
Speaking in an interview with TVC News on Monday, the Ibom Air Group Manager, Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette, distanced the airline from the footage that has stirred outrage across social media.
“The video was recorded on the plane, but there were several people on board who were not Ibom Air employees. Anyone could have taken it,” Ms Essienette said. “I can tell you categorically that Ibom Air did not release the video. We do not condone such indecent exposure, and it is unfortunate that the video has gone viral.”
LEADERSHIP reports that the incident occurred on Sunday, August 10 after the passenger allegedly refused to switch off her electronic device in defiance of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) safety rules, which require devices to be completely powered down during flights.
Ms. Essienette explained that the pilot-in-command called security after the passenger resisted disembarking, prompting the cabin crew to restrain her.
“Our crew had to restrain her to ensure security could escort her off the plane,” she said.
The airline’s stance came amid growing public criticism of how the passenger was manhandled, with many Nigerians describing the ordeal as humiliating and degrading.
Despite the backlash, Ms Essienette defended the airline’s safety-first approach.
“Ibom Air values our customers and prides itself on reliability and excellent service. We remain committed to these principles,” she stated. “Most people obey the rule to switch off devices. The airline environment is controlled, and safety must come first.”
