Editorial
No To Modern Day Slavery
On November 14, 2017, the US based television network, CNN, broke the news about the sale of African migrants as slaves in the North African nation of Libya. The report has elicited outrage in recent days, prompting a protest in Central Paris, condemnation by the African Union and an official investigation.
According to the report, nine Libyan locations have held slave auctions, but there are indications that there might be many more. The CNN footage also passed on the video evidence where migrants were sold at $400. The evidence was presented to Libyan authorities who claim to be investigating the matter.
It is, indeed, horrifying that in the 21st century, slave markets exist in Libya, or any part of the world. While the already polarised Libyan government may feign ignorance, it seems unlikely that it would have been aware of their existence.
The Tide therefore condemns this barbaric, inhuman activities going on in Africa. We call on the international community to mount pressure on Libyans to stop this practice immediately, and punish those involved. Obviously, human trafficking is an international humanitarian crisis across Africa and should not be treated with kid gloves.
As such, the African Union should use all the tools at its disposal to put an end to this modern day slavery, while Libya should be encouraged and supported to return those taken as slaves to their countries of origin. For those victims still in Libya, the authorities there should reassess migrants’ detention conditions and make them more human-friendly and habitable.
At the home front, the Federal Government should ensure the rescue of Nigerian victims trapped in different parts of Africa by coming up with an action plan to ensure that those stranded in Libya and other parts of Africa are rescued and brought back to Nigeria.
Specifically, government should reinforce and supplement measures in international treaties and conventions on trafficked victims, engage its agencies or bodies such as the Police, Customs, immigration and non-profit organisations to ensure the return of the victims.
Government should also ensure the elimination and prevention of human trafficking by initiating more economic programmes that will create employment for the youth that are mainly at the risk of being trafficked.
Meanwhile, it is important that the Federal Government embark on social engineering campaigns to sensitise the citizenry on the potential dangers involved in human trafficking, as well as educate the youth. Also, there is the need to regulate on their rights and the available forms of protection against abuse, exploitation and procurement into slavery.
To the Nigerian youth desperate to go abroad, we urge them to understand that there is no place like home. Parents should, therefore, train their children on the path of honour as poverty is not an excuse for lack of character. In addition, parents should motivate their children to aspire and work hard to achieve a better tomorrow.
We view the numerous reported cases of enslavement and killings of trafficked Nigerians in search of greener pastures abroad as heart-rending and a national disgrace.
That more than 900,000 stranded migrants have been repatriated home this year alone explains that, indeed, there is something wrong with the country.
The resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa is worrisome and calls for a sober reflection. It is high time African leaders, especially the Nigerian government woke up to their responsibility to save the continent from this global embarrassment.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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