A security consultant, Onyekachi Adekoya, has called for urgent reforms in aviation security following the recent Ibom Air incident involving a passenger and cabin crew members.
Speaking on Channels Television, Adekoya stressed the need to prepare for redundancy in security planning.
He said there was enough time for security to evacuate the passenger, but noted that the crew appeared unprepared for such situations.
“If it were some other things happening, what would have happened?” he asked. “Clearly there is a cause for alarm. There is an opportunity for further training. It’s not a problem of standards, annexes, protocols, or procedures. It is a cultural problem. It is a general Nigerian problem.”
Describing aviation security as a top priority globally, Adekoya expressed concern over what he likened to a lack of seriousness in the Nigerian context.
“I think it’s a wake-up call if you ask me,” he said, urging the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to clamp down on security lapses. He also pointed to faulty facilities, non-functional equipment, and signal failures from locomotives as pressing issues.
The incident happened on Monday after an altercation between the passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and flight crew members. Following the viral video of the incident, airplane operators barred her from flying, and she was charged to court – later withdrawn.
While highlighting the role of cabin crew members, Adekoya said they form an integral part of the aviation safety and security framework. Referring to the Ibom Air case, he described the crew’s approach as “Nigerianness,” adding that they were a “bit too political with their decisions”.
Addressing the charges against the passenger, Adekoya suggested that with elections approaching, a “politically convenient resolution” could be on the horizon — a move he said would not restore public confidence in safety.
He stressed that when passengers board an aircraft, they contract to abide by its terms and conditions, and their rights are read to them. Calling such misconduct a federal crime, he reminded Nigerians that the Attorney General of the Federation has the authority to pursue the matter.
“When you conduct yourself in such a way that is likely to breach peace and public peace, as both parties have done, it is a criminal felony, it is a civil issue,” he stated.
