The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into the death of a passenger who became distressed and allegedly attempted to enter the cockpit and open the rear door of a Kenya Airways aircraft before being restrained during a flight to Lagos.
The passenger, whose identity has not been released, died shortly before the Nairobi-Lagos flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday night.
The incident has prompted investigations into the events that occurred on board, particularly the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s behaviour, restraint and subsequent medical emergency.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the police had taken over the matter after receiving a report from Kenya Airways.
Achimugu said the passenger was considered an inadmissible traveller and had reportedly been returned from Madagascar after being denied entry by immigration authorities. According to him, the airline was responsible for transporting the passenger back after taking him to the country.
He explained that the situation became more serious during the return journey when the passenger reportedly became agitated and attempted to access the cockpit.
The passenger was also said to have attempted to open the aircraft’s rear door, after which members of the crew restrained him to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers.
Achimugu said the passenger’s hands were tied behind his back during the incident.
The passenger later became unresponsive as the aircraft approached Lagos. Medical personnel were alerted, but he was pronounced dead after the aircraft landed.
The NCAA official said investigators would determine what led to the passenger’s death and cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.
He also noted that the deceased’s family could request an autopsy to help establish the cause of death.
Kenya Airways confirmed that a passenger became unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before the aircraft landed in Lagos.
In a statement, the airline said its crew immediately responded by providing first aid and following its established emergency procedures.
The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 9:41 p.m., where medical personnel boarded the aircraft and examined the passenger before confirming his death.
Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the passenger’s family and friends and said it was cooperating with the family, authorities and aviation regulators over the incident.
The airline also said it was committed to respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved while providing appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.
The Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force also confirmed that an investigation was underway.
Police spokesperson Muhammed Adeola said officers had obtained statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain, as part of efforts to establish what happened during the flight.
He said the passenger had experienced breathing difficulties before the aircraft landed and that medical personnel were contacted. The passenger was subsequently confirmed dead after arrival.
His remains have been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja, Lagos, pending further investigation and other necessary procedures.
The investigation is expected to examine the passenger’s condition before and during the flight, the circumstances that led to his restraint, the response of the crew and medical personnel, and what happened in the period immediately before his death.
The cause of death has not been officially established. Police and aviation authorities are expected to rely on medical findings, witness statements and other available evidence before reaching a conclusion.
