An Ibom Air flight from Abuja to Lagos made an emergency return on Monday after a female passenger experienced a medical crisis shortly after take-off.
The incident occurred on Flight 561, which had departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. According to the airline, the Senior Cabin Crew Member had been informed of a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) travelling with her family.
Shortly into the flight, the passenger’s condition worsened, prompting the crew to activate emergency protocols. Despite a public call for medical professionals onboard, no one responded, leaving the cabin crew to administer oxygen, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other first-aid measures.
Eyewitnesses noted that the crew applied the DRABCDE protocol — Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure — in line with global aviation safety standards. The passenger, who had briefly lost pulse and stopped breathing, was moved to the galley where intensive CPR and oxygen therapy were carried out.
As the situation became critical, the captain diverted the aircraft back to Abuja. Crew members reportedly took turns performing CPR until landing. On arrival, the passenger — who had been successfully resuscitated — was handed over to airport emergency medics. She was said to be stable at the time of transfer, with both pulse and breathing restored.
Ibom Air later confirmed that once the passenger was evacuated for further treatment, the aircraft refueled and continued its journey to Lagos. The airline praised the professionalism of its crew and the swift response of medical personnel on the ground.
