BAOBAB slams Ibom Air over assault, says female passenger stripped of her dignity
…Decries passenger’s remand, lifetime ban without fair hearing
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
http://www.newsportng.com.ng BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights has condemned the reported assault incident involving one Ms. Comfort Emmanson aboard an Ibom Air flight, describing the airline’s handling of the matter as unjust, discriminatory, and a violation of the woman’s dignity.
The Executive Director of BAOBAB, Dr. Bunmi Dipo-Salami, in an exclusive interview with News-Port Nigeria on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the degrading nature of the treatment meted out to Ms. Emmanson.
She narrated that the passenger was dragged in a manner likened to a ram being pulled to slaughter, with parts of her body exposed before onlookers, an ordeal that stripped her of dignity and humanity.
Dr. Dipo-Salami warned that such humiliation is not only a gross violation of human rights but also a deeply scarring experience that could leave the victim battling trauma for the rest of her life, eroding her self-worth and sense of personal security.
The Executive Director, lamented that the action taken by the airline reflects a double standard, noting that when popular Nigerian musician Kwam 1 was involved in a separate inflight incident, he was only banned for a few months. According to her, no matter what Ms. Emmanson may have done, she did not deserve such treatment, adding that there was no justification for stripping her of her dignity in such a manner.
She stressed that this points to a worrying hostility against women in workplaces and public spaces.
While acknowledging that the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has ordered an investigation into the incident, Dr. Dipo-Salami said the detention of the passenger before the public has heard her own account raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
She explained that an investigation is welcome, but it must be thorough, impartial, and free from bias, emphasising that justice demands her voice be heard before conclusions are drawn.
Dr. Dipo-Salami further called for urgent training of aviation officials on conflict resolution, gender sensitivity, and human rights compliance, noting that such capacity-building would help prevent similar incidents in the future.
She urged the government, aviation regulators, and the public to remain alert to cases of gender-based discrimination, warning that incidents like this risk reinforcing systemic biases that harm women.
Salami stressed that society must stand against any practice that diminishes women’s rights and dignity, adding that Ibom Air and all stakeholders must ensure fairness, accountability, and respect for human rights in this matter.
