The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has distanced itself from the handling of the scuffle involving a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and staff of Ibom Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2), Lagos, last Sunday.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency clarified that its personnel were not part of the initial incident, which occurred within the privately operated terminal managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
Emmanson was reportedly involved in an altercation with Ibom Air staff at the foot of the aircraft, sparking outrage from Nigerians who condemned her treatment as dehumanising.
FAAN explained that security operations at MM2 are under the purview of Ibom Air’s internal security and Bi-Courtney’s aviation security unit. “The MM2 Terminal is classified as a Private Tenant Restricted Area.
FAAN AVSEC officers are responsible solely for passenger and baggage screening at designated checkpoints, while general terminal security operations are handled by Bi-Courtney’s security team,” the authority said.
The agency noted that its Aviation Security personnel only became involved after Emmanson was taken to the Crime Investigation and Intelligence Unit, also known as “Tango City,” for documentation before she was handed over to the police for prosecution.