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A passenger who was reportedly denied entry into Madagascar has died aboard a Kenya Airways flight while being returned to Lagos.
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Kenya Airways said its crew responded to the medical emergency at about 9:20 pm Nigerian time on Tuesday, administering first aid and following established emergency procedures before the aircraft landed in Lagos at 9:41 pm.
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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said the passenger had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities refused him entry, with Kenya Airways expected to return him because it was the airline that transported him to the country.
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The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an investigation into the death, with statements reportedly taken from the flight attendants, including the captain, while the passenger’s body has been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.
October 07, (THEWILL) – A passenger has died aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos after reportedly becoming unresponsive shortly before the aircraft landed in Nigeria.
The passenger was said to have been returning from Madagascar after being denied entry into the country, adding a fresh dimension to the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kenya Airways confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Department on Wednesday, saying the medical emergency occurred at about 9:20 pm Nigerian time on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The airline said the passenger was found unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before the aircraft landed in Lagos.
Kenya Airways said its crew administered first aid to the passenger in line with their training and followed all prescribed emergency procedures.
The aircraft subsequently landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 9:41 pm, where medical personnel were waiting.
“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.
The airline expressed condolences to the deceased passenger’s family and friends, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the incident. It also said it would uphold the privacy and dignity of everyone involved and was providing necessary support in coordination with the deceased’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators.
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Passenger Reportedly Denied Entry Into Madagascar
The circumstances surrounding the passenger’s return journey have become a major focus of the investigation following revelations that he had reportedly been denied entry into Madagascar.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the police had taken over the investigation.
Achimugu said the passenger was picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities had earlier denied him entry into the country.
He explained that Kenya Airways, having transported the passenger to Madagascar, was expected to return him after he was refused entry.
“The country manager said he was picked up 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”, Achimugu said.
Passenger Became Unable To Breathe
The Nigeria Police Force also confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced.
The Spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Muhammed Adeola, described the case as involving an inadmissible passenger and said complications arose during the return journey.
“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”, Adeola stated.
According to him, the passenger became unable to breathe during the flight, prompting medical personnel to be alerted before the aircraft landed.
“He was unable to breathe, and medical officers were alerted before the aircraft landed. However, upon landing, he was confirmed to have died”, he added.
The police spokesperson further confirmed that statements had been obtained from members of the flight crew, including the captain, as investigators work to establish the events surrounding the passenger’s final moments.
The deceased’s body was subsequently deposited at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation.
Investigation Underway
The death has prompted investigations by relevant authorities, with the police expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the medical emergency and determine the sequence of events from the passenger’s return from Madagascar to his death after the aircraft landed in Lagos.
While Kenya Airways said the passenger became unresponsive about 20 minutes before landing, police authorities said he was unable to breathe and that medical personnel were alerted before the aircraft arrived in Lagos.
The airline maintained that its crew responded to the emergency according to established procedures and that medical personnel were already on standby when the aircraft landed.
The exact identity of the deceased, the reason he was refused entry into Madagascar, the nature of his medical condition and the immediate cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.
Authorities are expected to rely on statements from the crew, medical findings and other available evidence as the investigation progresses.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
