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By Oscar Okhifo
Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has condemned the circulation of a viral video showing an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, being forcefully removed from a plane with her private parts exposed.
Reacting on social media, Simi expressed outrage over the fact that the video was recorded and shared without blurring the indecent exposure.
“Someone recorded her being dragged off the plane, recorded her being exposed like that, and then posted it without editing out this exposure or blurring it out… voluntarily posting her half-naked for millions of people to see… deserves punishment too,” she stated.
Simi’s position aligns with that of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the release of the indecent video as a debasement of womanhood. He promised to ensure sanctions are imposed on whoever released the video on social media.
Also reacting, Kimberly Nwachukwu, Radio Anchor and Director of Programs at 95.1 Nigeria Info Abuja, condemned the release of the photos and videos, frowning at the speed with which Emmanson was banned from flying without thorough investigation.
She queried what she described as “double standards” when compared with the sanction, melted out to Fuji music maestro , King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1), who was accused of similar rascally behavior at the Nnamdı Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
Nwachukwu urged authorities to investigate both the alleged assault on the Ibom Air stewardess and the release of the indecent footage, calling for the prosecution of all parties found culpable, including KWAM1, if prima facie evidence exists.
The controversy stems from an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight in which Emmanson allegedly punched a stewardess and refused to turn off her phone.
Following a confrontation, she was manhandled and dragged off the aircraft, during which her clothes were disheveled, exposing her private parts.
Opinions on social and conventional media have been sharply divided. While some insist that sharing such an unedited video was a violation of her dignity, others argue that nudity has been part of her lifestyle, pointing to the circulation of what they claim are her “provocative” private photos online.
Emmanson has since been arraigned in court and remanded at Kirikiri Prison, with a flight ban imposed on her.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify and penalize those responsible for the video’s release.
Ibom Air, however, has denied responsibility for circulating the clip, suggesting that it may have been recorded by non-staff individuals on board, while reaffirming its commitment to passenger privacy and service standards.