The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigation into the death of a passenger who became aggressive, allegedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit and later tried to open the rear door of a Kenya Airways aircraft before he was restrained during a flight to Lagos.
The passenger, whose identity was yet to be disclosed as of press time, died shortly before the Nairobi-Lagos flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday night.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised questions about what transpired aboard the aircraft after he was restrained, with the police now taking statements from members of the flight crew as part of the investigation.
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, saying the airline had briefed the authority on the incident.
“The country manager had woken me up this morning to say their own side of the story, and the police will start their own investigations,” Achimugu said.
According to him, the passenger was an inadmissible traveller who had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities denied him entry into the country.
He explained that Kenya Airways, having brought the passenger into the country, was expected to return him.
“The country manager said he was picked from Madagascar, after customs had earlier denied him entry into the country, and as expected, the airline that brought him into the country must take him back,” he said.
However, Achimugu said the situation became complicated after the passenger became restless and aggressive while aboard the aircraft.
He allegedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit before subsequently trying to open the rear door of the aircraft, prompting the crew to restrain him in an effort to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers.
“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 troubles,” Achimugu said.
The passenger later became unresponsive as the aircraft approached Lagos and was declared dead upon arrival, according to the NCAA.
“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,” Achimugu said.
He added that an autopsy could be requested by the deceased’s family as investigators seek to establish the circumstances and possible cause of death.
“I know the family may want an autopsy, but that is the current situation,” he said.
The incident occurred on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos, with the airline confirming that a passenger became unresponsive about 20 minutes before landing.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the airline said the medical emergency occurred at about 9:20pm.
“One of our passengers was found to be unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before landing in Lagos,” Kenya Airways said.
The airline said its crew immediately responded by administering first aid and following established emergency procedures.
“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” the airline said.
Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, saying it was working with the family, local authorities and aviation regulators.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the airline said.
It also said it was respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved while providing necessary support to the deceased’s family.
Meanwhile, the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the incident and said the deceased’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.
The police spokesperson, Muhammed Adeola, said investigators had already taken statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain.
“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.
“His body is at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation,” Adeola said.
The police investigation is expected to establish the sequence of events aboard the aircraft, including the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s restraint, his subsequent medical distress and the events leading to his death.
Until the investigation and any possible autopsy are concluded, the cause of death remains unconfirmed.
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