A Lagos-bound passenger on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi, Kenya, has died after reportedly becoming restless and aggressive on board the aircraft.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the development and said the police have taken over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the male passenger’s death.
The passenger, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, reportedly became unresponsive about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday night.
The statement said, “The medical emergency occurred at about 9:20 p.m., shortly before the aircraft was due to land”. According to the airline, its crew responded immediately by administering first aid and following established emergency procedures on the passenger before the aircraft landed at the airport.
The statement said: “Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away.”
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the agency was briefed about the incident by the airline’s Country Manager on Wednesday morning. Achimugu said the passenger had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities allegedly denied him entry into the country. He explained that Kenya Airways, having transported the passenger into the country, was expected to return him to his point of departure.
The NCAA official said the passenger subsequently became restless and aggressive during the flight and purportedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit before trying to open the rear door of the aircraft. He said the passenger was restrained after the alleged incidents in an attempt to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers and crew.
“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down. His hands were tied to his back to ensure that he stopped the trouble. But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival. I don’t want to preempt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now,” he said.
He added that the deceased’s family could request an autopsy as part of efforts to establish the cause of death.
The police also confirmed that the investigation had commenced, saying the deceased’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja. The spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Adeola Muhammed, said the incident involved an inadmissible passenger and that complications reportedly arose during the return flight.
“Yes, it’s true, and investigations have commenced. It’s an issue of an inadmissible passenger, and the said complications arose on their way back. He was unable to breathe, and medical officers were alerted before the aircraft landed. However, upon landing, he was confirmed to have died,” he said.
He added that the police had taken statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain, while his remains had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation.
Kenya Airways, meanwhile, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and friends, saying it was cooperating with the family, local authorities, and aviation regulators. The carrier said it was respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved while providing the necessary support to the deceased’s family.
